Queen Elizabeth II has turned down a magazine’s Oldie of the Year award, telling the publishers that “you are only as old as you feel”.

The Queen, 95, was offered the award by British monthly magazine The Oldie, which has been in publication since 1992.

Awards chairman Gyles Brandreth wrote to the Queen’s private secretary, Sir Edward Young, in July asking if the Queen would accept the award.

The reply in August, which has been published in the magazine’s latest issue, from the Queen’s assistant private secretary Tom Laing-Baker, outlined the reasons the monarch was declining the honour.

“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,” he said.

“This message comes to you with Her Majesty’s warmest best wishes.”

Mr Brandreth said in 2019 that “to win an Oldie of the Year award, you can’t simply be an elderly achiever: you also need to show that you still have ‘snap in your celery.'”

The Queen’s late husband, Prince Philip, who died aged 99 in April, was given the award in 2011.

He told the publication that it was “nice” to be given the tongue-in-cheek award.

“I much appreciate your invitation to receive an Oldie of the Year award,” he wrote in 2011.

“There is nothing like it for morale to be reminded that the years are passing – ever more quickly – and that bits are beginning to drop off the ancient frame. But it is nice to be remembered at all.”

The 2021 award was given to French-American actor and dancer Leslie Caron, who was presented the award by Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.