So have you come far? From deepest darkest Peru, Ma’am
WHEN the Queen made a thrilling appearance alongside James Bond to launch the 2012 London Olympics, the secrecy required to keep the sketch a surprise was worthy of 007 himself.
And yesterday Her Majesty dramatically showed that she had managed to repeat the feat – revealing a new skit that she had filmed alongside another British icon, Paddington Bear.
In the two minute sketch, previously known to just a handful of people, she shares a cream tea with the computer-animated bear – and reveals she shares his love of marmalade. It was filmed to open the Platinum Party At The Palace celebration at Buckingham Palace last night, where it was shown on massive screens to those who had gathered in The Mall to watch.
Voiced by Ben Whishaw, who played Q to Daniel Craig’s Bond, the gaffe-prone bear tells Her Majesty that he keeps a secret stash of marmalade sandwiches, prompting the Queen
‘The chance to have a famous bear to tea was too good to miss’
to reply ‘So do I’, before prising open her handbag and adding: ‘I keep mine in here.’
Paddington then caused chaos by spraying cream from a chocolate eclair over a Palace footman and depriving the forgiving Monarch of another cup of tea.
The Peruvian-born bear did, however, get the chance to congratulate the Queen on her remarkable reign, saying: ‘Happy Jubilee Ma’am. And thank you. For everything.’
The sketch, which was filmed at Windsor Castle, finished with Her Majesty and Paddington tapping the Queen anthem We Will Rock You with spoons on a china teacup. The beat was then picked up by the band themselves, who were on the main stage with the Corps of Drums from the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines.
Last night, a Buckingham Palace spokesman said: ‘Her Majesty is well known for her sense of humour, so it should be no surprise that she decided to take part in tonight’s sketch.
‘There was an interest in the filming and animation process and the opportunity to invite a famous bear to tea was just too much fun to miss.’
Rosie Alison, from producers Heyday Films added: ‘Filming was such an emotional day for the entire crew. All of us were in awe of the Queen’s wit, warmth and radiant aura as she patiently engaged with a polite, clumsy but very well-intentioned bear.’
Mark Sidaway, from BBC Studios, called it a ‘touching yet joyful idea’, adding: ‘It was nerveracking ensuring the animation blended seamlessly with the live performance.’