The Gone With The Wind star, who at 99 years old is the oldest living Oscar winner, was unable to travel from her home in France to collect the Oldie of the Year trophy, but recorded a video message to be played at the annual ceremony, which is held by editors of satirical magazine The Oldie.

"It is deeply gratifying to thus find myself in the company of the Queen Mother, whose record I have long wanted to match as well as that of so many other distinguished recipients," De Havilland explained in her acceptance speech.

The prize, which is awarded to those who have distinguished themselves throughout their lives and in old age, has previously been handed to actress Joanna Lumley, comedian Ken Dodd, and Britain's late Queen Mother.

Other recipients of awards at this year's (16) bash included political campaigner Aung San Suu Kyi, feminist writer Germaine Greer and 101-year-old former lawyer Jeremy Hutchinson, who shared the Oldie of The Year award with De Havilland.