LONDON. Buckingham Palace reports that Queen Elizabeth II reluctantly accepted a medical recommendation to rest for a few days and therefore canceled a planned trip to Northern Ireland. The British royal palace did not provide details on the decision, but added that “the monarch is in a good mood and is disappointed that she will not be able to visit Northern Ireland, where she had a series of commitments today and tomorrow”. Elizabeth II “sends warmest wishes to the people of Northern Ireland and is looking forward to a visit in the future,” concludes Buckingham Palace.
Meanwhile, the queen has refused the title of “Old Woman of the Year” that the magazine The Oldie he had offered her. The newspaper published the queen’s response. “Her Majesty believes that you are as old as you feel, so the queen does not think she does not meet the right criteria to be able to accept and hopes you will find a more deserving recipient,” she wrote in a letter sent by her private secretary. Tom Laing-Baker, “with the best wishes of his majesty.”
The “Old Woman of the Year” award is generally awarded to elderly people who have made a special contribution to the country’s public life. Philip, husband of the queen, had received him in 2011, at the age of 90. Prior to Elizabeth II, other honored characters were former Prime Minister John Major, actress Olivia de Havilland and artist David Hockney. After the Queen’s rejection, this year’s award went to 90-year-old French-American actress and dancer Leslie Caron.