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“Please look after these bears”: Camilla helps Paddington bears find their new homes

<p dir="ltr">The thousands of Paddington bears left in tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II are finally finding their new homes, with Queen Consort Camilla describing it as a “pleasure” to be involved in the process.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-4e8f7f0e-7fff-675c-82b7-8856234ab3ef"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">With the bears slated to be given to the children’s charity Barnados, Camilla delivered the fuzzy stuffed toys to the charity with a convoy of electric taxis through the London Taxi Driver’s Charity for Children.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Today, The Queen Consort delivered hundreds of Paddington bears and cuddly toys to children who are supported by <a href="https://twitter.com/barnardos?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@barnardos</a>.</p> <p>Take a look at their journey to their loving new homes ⬇️<a href="https://t.co/hJE3uf39B0">https://t.co/hJE3uf39B0</a></p> <p>— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) <a href="https://twitter.com/RoyalFamily/status/1595840343664115716?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 24, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">During her visit to Bow day nursery in east London, where they held a special teddy bear’s picnic, complete with marmalade sandwiches, Camilla gave bears to children at the nursery, who are among more than a thousand recipients of the bears and toys left outside the Queen’s residences.</p> <p dir="ltr">The royal also revealed that she “loves mess” and told the kids to look after their new friends.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It has been a pleasure to find a home for these bears - please look after them carefully,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Camilla was also joined by members of the cast of the <em>Paddington </em>film, Hugh Bonneville and Madeleine Harris, as well as Karen Jenkel, whose father Michael Bond wrote the Paddington series of books for her.</p> <p dir="ltr">At the end of her visit to the Bow nursery, Camilla was presented with a bouquet of flowers and a thank-you note by carer Leighann Ives and three-year-old Serena Wicks.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-2b78acdb-7fff-7ec8-ea7d-da6c9a60d759"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">In the lead-up to the delivery of the bears, the royal family shared sweet updates on the toys, including their antics at the royal residences.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">We’ve had a lovely stay at Clarence House and Buckingham Palace (doing our best to keep out of mischief…)</p> <p>Looking forward to arriving at our new homes next week!</p> <p>🔗 <a href="https://t.co/ziDWQhFZtK">https://t.co/ziDWQhFZtK</a> <a href="https://t.co/PmZy5c8moh">pic.twitter.com/PmZy5c8moh</a></p> <p>— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) <a href="https://twitter.com/RoyalFamily/status/1593575755715420164?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“We’ve had a lovely stay at Clarence House and Buckingham Palace (doing our best to keep out of mischief…),” the royal family wrote on social media, sharing a series of photos of a Paddington bear in different spots around the palace.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Looking forward to arriving at our new homes next week!”</p> <p dir="ltr">The decision to donate the bears to Barnados, which Camilla is a patron of, <a href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/what-will-happen-to-the-thousands-of-paddington-bears-left-for-the-queen">was announced last month</a> with the release of a sweet photo of the Queen Consort surrounded by Paddington bears.</p> <p dir="ltr">The bears were collected from outside the gates of the royal residences by 200 volunteers, who loaded the toys into wagons drawn by grey Shire horses.</p> <p dir="ltr">So many of the bears, along with other toys, flowers, and marmalade sandwiches, were left by mourners that the Royal Park urged members of the public to stop.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-3b56f32f-7fff-927b-4fcb-cfc993608794"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Caring

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What will happen to the thousands of Paddington Bears left for the Queen

<p dir="ltr">More than 1,000 Paddinton Bears left for Queen Elizabeth II since her passing will be donated to charity. </p> <p dir="ltr">The plush toys were left at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle following the late monarch’s passing on September 8.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Palace announced that the toys will be cleaned and donated to children's charity Barnardos. </p> <p dir="ltr">They released a photo of the Queen Consort Camilla surrounded by the teddies to mark the special occasion. </p> <p dir="ltr">Queen Elizabeth and Paddington Bear had a loveable friendship when he made a surprise appearance at the Platinum Jubilee.</p> <p dir="ltr">The adorable skit showed the Queen sitting down for tea with Paddington Bear who told the monarch that he hoped she was “having a lovely Jubilee”. </p> <p dir="ltr">The Queen then offered Paddington some tea as the pair discussed their shared love for marmalade sandwiches. </p> <p dir="ltr">Paddington Bear then offered Her Majesty an emergency marmalade sandwich, something he always keeps hidden away in his hat. </p> <p dir="ltr">In a funny turn of events, the Queen did not need the emergency marmalade sandwich as she had also come prepared with her own sandwich in her handbag. </p> <p dir="ltr">The skit, which took the Queen half a day to film, was described better than her Olympic opening show cameo with James Bond.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Twitter</em></p>

Family & Pets

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‘Thank you Ma’am, for everything’: Paddington Bear joins worldwide tributes

<p>The adorable Paddington Bear himself has paid a touching tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, only a few months after they warmed hearts around the world with a hilarious collaboration during the <a href="https://oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/beauty-style/our-favourite-highlights-of-the-close-of-the-platinum-jubilee-celebrations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Platinum Jubilee celebrations</a>.</p> <p>Much to the delight of millions of viewers, the Queen herself appeared in the sketch with the famed British bear that no one could have foreseen to kick-start the Party in The Palace concert.</p> <p>The much loved duo tapped out the beat of Queen’s We Will Rock You anthem together on china teacups using silver spoons as a unique way of getting the celebrations under way.</p> <p>The sketch, which the Queen spent half a day filming, was dubbed better than her Olympic opening show cameo with James Bond.</p> <p>Sitting opposite each other at a table, laid for afternoon tea, Paddington began by telling the Queen that he hoped she was “having a lovely Jubilee” before Her Majesty offered some tea.</p> <p>During a special moment shared by the two, the Queen revealed she shares Paddington's love of marmalade sandwiches and keeps an emergency stash in her trademark handbag.</p> <p>Britain's favourite bear took time to congratulate his new friend on her outstanding 70 years of service. Commenting on her record-breaking reign Paddington said: “Happy Jubilee Ma'am. And thank you. For everything” to which she replied, “That's very kind”.</p> <p>Upon The Queen’s passing, Paddington has paid his respects one last time, tweeting: “Thank you Ma’am, for everything”.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Thank you Ma’am, for everything.</p> <p>— Paddington (@paddingtonbear) <a href="https://twitter.com/paddingtonbear/status/1567931094858702850?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p><em>Image: YouTube</em></p>

Caring

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Prince Charles’ emotional tribute to “Your Majesty, mummy”

<p>Prince Charles paid an emotional tribute to “Your Majesty, mummy” during the star-studded Party at The Palace concert.</p> <p>The Prince of Wales poured his heart out as he praised the Queen for being with Brits “in our difficult times”.</p> <p>Millions of viewers watching from home were deeply moved as he said: “You have met us and talked with us.</p> <p>“You laugh and cry with us and, most importantly, you have been there for us.”</p> <p>Directly addressing The Queen as “Your Majesty, mummy”, he said: “The scale of this evening’s celebration – and the outpouring of warmth and affection over this whole Jubilee weekend – is our way of saying thank you – from your family, the country, the Commonwealth, in fact the whole world.</p> <p>“On behalf of us all, I wanted to pay my own tribute to your lifetime of selfless service.</p> <p>“Your family now spans four generations. You are our Head of State. And you are also our mother.”</p> <p>And he said the Queen’s “strength and stay” – her late husband Philip, who died last year – is “much missed”.</p> <p>“I am sure he’s here in spirit,” Charles said.</p> <p>“My papa would have enjoyed the show and joined us wholeheartedly in celebrating all you continue to do for your country and your people.”</p> <p>He addressed the crowd only moments after his son, the Duke of Cambridge, took to the stage to speak about the Queen’s service, using this time to talk about the environment, praising his father Charles and grandfather Philip for their work.</p> <p>“While no one’s grandmother thanks them for talking about their age, my own grandmother has been alive for nearly a century,” he said.</p> <p>“In that time, mankind has benefited from unimaginable technological developments and scientific breakthroughs.”</p> <p>“And although those breakthroughs have increased our awareness of the impact humans have on our world, our planet has become more fragile.</p> <p>“Today, in 2022 – as the Queen celebrates her Platinum Jubilee – the pressing need to protect and restore our planet has never been more urgent.”</p> <p>However, he said he is an “optimist” and said the Jubilee has provided great “joy” to Brits.</p> <p>William was accompanied to the concert by wife Kate and their eldest children Charlotte and George.</p> <p>The family were seen laughing and joking together as they took their seats for the party at Buckingham Place and hundreds of thousands of people lined The Mall to celebrate. There were huge cheers as the Cambridges arrived, hours after a royal visit to Wales with their two eldest children.</p> <p>The Queen did not attend the festivities, although she recorded a hilarious clip with Paddington Bear, which was screened before the performances began.</p> <p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8H3WJ2qRwiQ" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Relationships

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President, actor, dancer - what else can Voldoymyr Zelenskyy do?

<p dir="ltr">He’s a man of many talents and it's no secret Volodymyr Zelenskyy was an actor before becoming Ukraine’s President.</p> <p dir="ltr">But, did you know that he voiced the much loved Paddington Bear in the Ukrainian version of the hit 2014 and 2017 animated film?</p> <p dir="ltr">Yep, neither did we. But also, how cool is that?!</p> <p dir="ltr">The movie’s production studio, StudioCanal, confirmed the news to <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/ukrainian-president-volodymyr-zelensky-paddington-voice-1235100949/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Hollywood Reporter</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Actor Hugh Bonneville, who plays Paddington’s foster parent was surprised at the news and thanked the President.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Until today I had no idea who provided the voice of @paddingtonbear in Ukraine,” he tweeted on February 28.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Speaking for myself, thank you, President Zelenskiy. #PaddingtonBear.”</p> <p dir="ltr">A dig into Zelenskyy’s career before becoming president revealed that he was in fact quite a popular and successful comedian in Ukraine. He also starred in several films and TV shows.</p> <p dir="ltr">In an incredible moment of life imitating art, Zelenskyy played a school teacher in the political satire series Servant of the People.</p> <p dir="ltr">Spoiler alert: he becomes Ukraine’s president in the series. </p> <p dir="ltr">And if that wasn’t enough, the talented President also won Ukraine’s version of Dancing With the Stars in 2006.</p> <p dir="ltr">Makes you wonder what other leaders have achieved compared to him…</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: YouTube</em></p>

Movies

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5 fun facts about Paddington Bear

<p>Paddington, the friendly bear from the deepest, darkest Peru discovered at a London train station, first entered our hearts in 1958. 60 years on, the marmalade-loving bear is as popular as ever, with dozens of books, a TV series and two successful films bearing (pardon the pun) his name.</p> <p>But where did this iconic children’s literary character come from? You might be surprised to learn Paddington’s origins! Here are 10 fun facts about everyone’s favourite bear (sorry, Winnie!)</p> <p><strong>1. He was inspired by a lone teddy bear</strong></p> <p>Paddington came about after author Michael Bond was wandering through a department store on Christmas Eve, 1956, looking for a gift for his wife. All of a sudden, he stumbled upon a lone teddy bear sitting on a shelf. Bond felt sorry for it and purchased it, but he couldn’t get that mental image of an abandoned teddy out of his head. He began writing stories about it, mainly for himself, when it struck that he might have created something special.</p> <p><strong>2. His name isn’t really “Paddington”</strong></p> <p>That’s the name his adoptive family gave him, inspired by the train station where he was found, after he told them no one would be able to understand his real name, which we later find out is actually “Pastuso”. Bond and his wife also named their real-life teddy “Paddington” after the station they lived near at the time.</p> <p><strong>3. He was a surprise success</strong></p> <p>It took Bond seven years after publishing the first Paddington book to be able to leave his job as a cameraman at the BBC and live from the sales alone. But he had no idea it would be so successful, selling more than 35 million copies and being translated into over 40 languages. “I am constantly surprised by all the translations because I thought that Paddington was essentially an English character,” he once said. “Obviously Paddington-type situations happen all over the world.”</p> <p><strong>4. He once faced immigration troubles</strong></p> <p>Yep, Paddington found himself in a sticky situation in the 2008 story “Paddington Spills the Beans”, the police discover he illegally migrated to London from Darkest Peru. “There is this side of Paddington the Browns don’t really understand at all,” Bond explained. “What it’s like to be a refugee, not to be in your own country.”</p> <p><strong>5. His wellies became famous because of a toy</strong></p> <p>It’s hard to think of Paddington without thinking of his trademark blue duffle coat, red hat and red wellington boots. But although he did receive a pair of wellies in the books, he wasn’t really known for them. It wasn’t until a designer decided to make a Paddington stuffed toy for her children in 1972 (there wasn’t one on the market yet) and decided to put some red wellies on his feet to help him stand upright that they became a famous part of his outfit.</p> <p><em>Image credit: R. W. Alley.</em></p>

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