Monarchy needs mystery...

the results of a long study on a wide group of people as they aged.

Marvellously they weren’t remotely self-denying in their lifestyles. More than two-thirds of them smoke, 83 per cent drink regularly and one sprightly octogenarian claimed a 5pm martini with her friends every single day kept her happy.

This is wonderful news. I suspect most of us, when we think about our health or getting older, feel more than a bit frightened – not to mention guilty. Every glass of wine raises our risk of cancer, according to Sally Davies, the Chief Medical Officer for England.

Indeed drinking is more implicated in early-onset Alzheimer’s than even smoking or raised blood pressure, reports medical journal The Lancet Public Health. We’re told we must TALKING of super-agers, as below, we have a terrific example before our very eyes: the Queen and Prince Philip. It makes you wonder – all those boring state banquets, garden parties and receptions obviously keep them both pin-sharp.

The Queen really is a wonder. When she unexpectedly popped up at a show for London Fashion Week, chatting away to Anna Wintour, it was almost as much of a shock as her dalliance with Daniel Craig at the opening of the London Olympics when Her Maj apparently parachuted into the arena accompanied by James Bond.

That was a hoot. And it’s precisely because she does these things so rarely that they have so much impact. No one would be remotely surprised to see Fergie or her daughters at a fashion show. But the Queen? Amazing. Kate and Meghan should follow her example. I suspect Meghan in particular may have a tendency to be a bit socially uber-present. She’s lovely but she should, like her grannie-in-law-to-be, make sure she keeps her distance and her dignity.

IT’S OFFICIAL - A LITTLE OF WHAT YOU FANCY DOES YOU GOOD

exercise relentlessly and if we don’t heed punitive new diet rules (“clean” eating; no sugar; not much meat; watch the calories; no ready-meals) old age will leave us decrepit, demented and lonely.

Now along comes the news that these American super-agers in their 70s, 80s and 90s, enjoy not only their self-indulgences but are well and extremely happy. And that’s really the key to their well-being, according to Emily Rogalski, Professor of cognitive neurology at Northwestern.

She says a super-ager has “a unique personality profile, highlighting optimism, resilience and perseverance”.

So a positive mental attitude is far more important to a happy old age than constant self-denial.

Don’t worry, be happy. I’ll drink to that.