The Queen has turned down the Oldie of the Year award because she feels she doesn’t meet the criteria.

Actor, writer and former MP Gyles Brandreth approached the Queen, who is 95, to see if she would accept the award, but she “politely but firmly” declined.  

Her private secretary, Sir Edward Young, wrote to awards chairman Brandreth to turn down the offer of the trophy: “Her Majesty believes you are as old as you feel, as such The Queen does not believe she meets the relevant criteria to be able to accept, and hopes you will find a more worthy recipient.”

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The letter was published in the November edition of The Oldie and the Queen sent her “warmest best wishes”.

Past winners of the Oldie of the Year award include David Hockney, Eileen Atkins, Stanley Baxter, Peter Blake, Glenda Jackson and Moira Stuart.

The Queen is the longest reigning monarch in the UK and is due to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee next year marking 70 years on the throne.