Bearnardo’s
Charity gets Paddington tributes
QUEEN Consort Camilla sits surrounded by Paddington Bear cuddly toys, all set to be lovingly looked after by needy kids.
The bears, among more than a thousand left in tribute at royal residences after the Queen’s death, are to be passed to children’s charity Barnardo’s to be distributed to vulnerable youngsters.
The snap, released by Buckingham Palace, was taken in the Morning Room at Clarence House on Thursday – the 64th anniversary of author Michael Bond’s first Paddington book.
The bear from Peru became associated with the Queen after she filmed a humorous sketch with him to mark her Platinum Jubilee earlier this year.
In it, Her Majesty was seen enjoying afternoon tea inside Buckingham Palace with the children’s favourite, before pulling a marmalade sandwich – his favourite snack – out of her handbag.
The sketch ended with the pair tapping their teacups to the rhythm of rock band Queen’s anthem We Will Rock You, while the group opened the Jubilee concert outside.
Prince William admitted he got “choked up” over the Paddington Bearthemed tributes – which also included marmalade sandwiches – left by royal fans following the 96-year-old monarch’s death at Balmoral on September 8.
The dad-of-three told mourners: “Certain moments catch you out. You are prepared for all but certain moments catch you out. It’s the things you don’t expect that get to you.”
He also joked about there being a new form of “competition” between Paddington Bear and the corgis famously loved by Her Majesty.
He told funeral staff at Windsor: “Paddington is a new addition but the corgis have been there for longer.”