Message about Queen changed

A potentially embarrassing reference to the tax-exempt Queen’s “priceless” contribution to the nation was removed from a government address marking a milestone in her reign, newly released files show.

The change was revealed in a draft message to be delivered by then prime minister John Major for the 40th anniversary of the monarch’s accession to the throne.

The file, released by the National Archives, reads: “This was in recognition of the priceless contribution Her Majesty has made to the life of our nation throughout her reign.

“I know that the House and millions of our fellow citizens would wish to be associated with this message.”

But the word “priceless” has been circled and accompanied by a handwritten note from private secretary William Chapman, which says: “Is this quite the mot juste?

“In view of the Queen’s tax exemption it would indeed be said that her contribution has been without price.”

He adds in the document dated January 1992: “And shouldn’t ‘citizens’ be ‘subjects’ in this context? (though I don’t propose the PM would like that)”.

Mr Major settled on “incomparable contribution” instead of “priceless” and kept “citizens” instead of “subjects”, the Hansard record of February 6 1992 shows.

The Queen and John Major.