'I couldn't resist'': Mourners leave Paddington Bears for queen, despite being told not to

Record ID: 1688772

  • Title: 'I couldn't resist'': Mourners leave Paddington Bears for queen, despite being told not to
  • Date: 13th September 2022
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF PHOTOGRAPH WITH PICTURE OF THE QUEEN AND PADDINGTON BEAR
  • Embargoed: 27th September 2022 16:29
  • Keywords: Britain Paddington Bears UK
  • Location: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
  • City: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
  • Country: UK
  • Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment,Europe,Royals
  • Reuters ID: LVA002502713092022RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Among the thousands of floral tributes left at Buckingham Palace and its neighbouring parks, a small toy bear wearing a red hat is making a seemingly unwanted appearance.
    Mourners flocking to pay their respects are leaving Paddington Bears and marmalade sandwiches despite The Royal Parks asking people not to.
    In a statement on The Royal Parks website, it says it would ''prefer visitors not to bring non/floral objects/artefacts such as teddy bears or balloons.''
    However many well-wishers have ignored the request, and several Paddingtons can be seen dotted throughout the mounds of tributes.
    ''I know I just couldn't resist,'' said 54-year-old cosmetic clinic worker Catherine Meyrieck after leaving one of the cuddly toys with a handwritten note on Tuesday (September 13).
    ''I wanted to reflect the queen's sense of humour, I always thought that was magical and the way she interacted with people so I thought Paddington might just last a little bit longer than some of the flowers so that's why I brought it,'' she said.
    During her Platinum Jubilee, the Queen won huge plaudits for a pre-recorded comic sketch with Paddington Bear, in which she told the famous fictional character that she always kept his favourite snack - a marmalade sandwich - in her ever-present handbag.
    Months on, mourners appear still charmed by the sketch and are choosing to honour the queen's memory with reference to the exchange.
    The queen's coffin will leave Scotland and be flown to London in the early evening and driven to Buckingham Palace. On Wednesday (September 14), it will be taken on a gun carriage as part of a grand military procession to Westminster Hall where a period of lying in state will begin until the funeral on Monday (September 19).
    (Production: Manuel Ausloos, Helena Williams, Aiden Nulty)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2022. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: Footage contains photographs or artwork. User is responsible for obtaining additional clearances before publishing this clip.
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