Overview
- Papers at the National Archives detail how the Queen Mother’s private secretary, Captain Sir Alastair Aird, phoned No 10 in 1994 to demand an explanation for an incorrectly addressed birthday message.
- Roderic Lyne of the No 10 private office issued a written apology and said British Telecom misaddressed the telegram in transmission.
- The files record that the message was correct when it left Downing Street, with Lyne noting staff were careful about proper form.
- Despite the error, the Queen Mother sent a telegram thanking John Major and his wife, Norma, for their good wishes.
- Journalists initially saw minutes referencing royal travel, including the then Duke of York, which were later removed from the public file, with the Cabinet Office attributing the change to an administrative mistake.