No 10 forced to issue grovelling apology over John Major’s ‘improper’ birthday message to Queen Mother, new files reveal
Newly released government files have revealed Downing Street was forced to issue a vile apology after Prime Minister John Major’s birthday telegram to the Queen Mother was “inappropriately” handled.
The Queen Mother’s private secretary, Captain Sir Alastair Aird, called number 10 to demand an explanation as to why his birthday celebration in 1994 had been “misaddressed”, according to documents published in the National Archives at Kew, west London.
It is not clear from the files how the telegram was presented that caused so much anger in the royal family.
After investigating what had happened, Roderic Lyne of No 10 private office wrote back, apologizing for the mistake but insisting Downing Street staff were not to blame.
He wrote: “The message itself was entirely correct as we received it. However, in transmitting it it appears that British Telecom unfortunately handled the telegram inappropriately in the way you describe.”
“I’m very sorry this happened. As you can imagine our own staff are very particular about proper form.
“Perhaps the solution would be to give up telegrams, which seem to be obsolete anyway.”
Despite the faux pas, the Queen Mother still telegraphed Mr Major and his wife Norma to thank them.
“I was touched by your kind message of good wishes on my birthday and I extend my sincere thanks to you both,” he said.
The annual publication of government documents in the archives at Kew under the 20-year rule has also sparked controversy after it was revealed that official documents referring to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor had been withheld.
The version initially made available to embargoed journalists so they could prepare news in advance included minutes of a meeting in which officials discussed the travel plans of various royals, including the Duke of York, who was then still.
However, the minutes were later removed from the file before being made public.
The Cabinet Office, which was responsible for transferring the files to the National Archives, described it as an “administrative error” as the files were never intended to be released.
