Queen’s teatime treat for the nation
Surprise performance with Paddington Bear (that not even her family knew about) launches Platinum Party at the Palace
THE Queen last night took the world by surprise as she shared afternoon tea with Paddington Bear, starring on screen with her own marmalade sandwiches as she lit up the Platinum Jubilee celebrations as only she could.
Her Majesty delighted an audience of millions around the world by inviting the computer-animated bear for tea at Windsor Castle, in a top-secret sequence broadcast to launch the palace party.
Said to have wanted to take part to show the public how much their celebrations have meant to her, the Queen was praised for her “wit, warmth and generosity” in going along with the “touching yet joyful” idea.
She was unable to make last night’s concert in person, but secured herself a starring role after agreeing to make a rare foray into film.
A spokesman for Buckingham Palace said: “While the Queen may not be attending the concert in person, she was very keen that people understood how much it meant to her and that all those watching had a great time.”
The two-and-a-half-minute sketch was reminiscent of the James Bond surprise of 2012, when she played herself opposite Daniel Craig to “parachute” into the Olympics Games to the shock of even her own family. This time, she spent around half a day filming at Windsor Castle, with palace aides declining to ruin the magic by explaining how she managed to converse with the fictional bear. It was the result of months of planning, with jubilee organisers keeping the surprise up their sleeves as the crowning moment of last night’s celebrations.
The sketch, which opened the Platinum Party at the Palace, revealed the Queen inviting Paddington Bear for a “warm and hilarious” cream tea, which goes wrong almost immediately.
Paddington, the creation of author Michael Bond, and known to generations of readers and film fans for his endearing clumsiness, deprives the Queen of her tea by drinking the whole pot from the spout and then sprays cream from a chocolate eclair over a palace footman. As the beloved bear shows Her Majesty what he hides underneath his hat – his favourite marmalade sandwiches – the Queen confides: “So do I.” Prising open her handbag, she tells him: “I keep mine in here.”
The short film touched the hearts of viewers as Paddington congratulated the Queen on her remarkable reign, exclaiming: “Happy Jubilee, ma’am. And thank you. For everything.” The Queen replies simply: “That’s very kind.”
The sketch even surprised some of the Queen’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren watching in the live audience and at home. Prince George and Princess Charlotte, allowed to stay up late for the occasion, appeared just as surprised and delighted as the audience to see “Gan Gan” on film, clapping and waving their small Union flags along with the rest of the audience.
The 10,000-strong live crowd gasped as they recognised the Queen on screen, sending up an appreciative cheer that would have echoed though the halls of Buckingham Palace. The sequence ended with both the Queen and Paddington using a spoon to tap out the beat of Queen’s We Will Rock You on a China teacup.
Outside in the real world, the band and the Corps of Drums from the Bands of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines struck up with the song on the main stage as the crowd tapped along.
A spokesman for Buckingham Palace 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.
“While the Queen may not be attending the concert in person, she was very keen that people understood how much it meant to her and that all those watching had a great time.”