Camilla pictured surrounded by Paddington Bears as tributes to Queen donated to Barnado’s | UK News
A newly released image shows the Queen Consort surrounded by teddies to mark the donation of more than 1,000 toy bears to the Barnardo’s children’s charity.
The cuddly toys, including many Paddington Bears, had been left outside Buckingham Palace by mourners paying their respects to the Queen following her death last month.
The Palace said the teddies had been collected and professionally cleaned before they are delivered to Barnardo’s children’s services in the coming weeks.
In the picture, Camilla sits on a low sofa in the Morning Room at Clarence House wearing a navy blue dress with white stitching, surrounded by toy bears.
It was taken on Thursday – the 64th anniversary of the publication of the first Paddington Bear book.
In a much-loved TV sketch during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June, Elizabeth II had tea at Buckingham Palace with the popular children’s character where she dug out a marmalade sandwich from her famous handbag.
It prompted members of the public to leave teddy bears, and quite a few marmalade sandwiches, among the floral tributes which amassed outside royal residences following her death in September.
The Queen passed the patronage of Barnardo’s to Camilla in 2016, who was then the Duchess of Cornwall.
Barnardo’s chief executive Lynn Perry said: “Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was Barnardo’s patron for over 30 years, and we are honoured to be able to give homes to the teddies that people left in her memory.
“We promise to look after these bears who will be well-loved and bring joy to the children we support.
“We are incredibly grateful to Her Majesty The Queen Consort for her support in helping us to raise awareness of the needs of vulnerable children and young people in the UK so that we can continue to support them through our vital services.”
A Paddington Bear toy and marmalade sandwich among floral tributes outside the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh
Tom Jarvis, director of parks at the Royal Parks charity, said: “Over the last few weeks, we have been looking for a fitting and appropriate use for the hundreds of teddy bears that were left in Green Park and Hyde Park to honour the Queen.
“We are delighted that the teddy bears will now bring joy and comfort to hundreds of children supported by Barnardo’s.”
The bears were being “well looked after” at the Palace, Clarence House and in the Royal Parks nursery in Hyde Park, Buckingham Palace said.
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Queen shares tea with Paddington Bear
Following the Queen’s death, the Royal Parks charity, which manages the designated London tribute site in Green Park, urged well-wishers not to leave teddy bears, balloons, or lit candles.
With the help of shire horses and almost 200 volunteers, the charity began gathering tributes from Green Park and Hyde Park late last month after the national period of mourning – with the toys collected then also set to be cleaned and donated to Barnardo’s.