Following Queen Elizabeth's death on Sept. 8, royal fans honored the late monarch by the dozen with Paddington Bear toy and marmalade sandwich tributes—a reference to Elizabeth's Jubilee skit with a CGI Paddington.
Prince William was even handed one of the plush bears during his walkabout in Windsor shortly after his grandmother's passing.
Of course, the sheer number of bears gifted in tribute meant the Royal Family had to do something meaningful with the toys so that they didn't just end up in landfill (while the younger royals may have been allowed to keep a couple of them, there's only so many stuffed animals one kid can handle).
The solution came via Queen Consort Camilla: The bears will be donated to children's charity organization Barnardo's. Camilla took over the patronage for Barnardo's from Elizabeth in 2016, according to Sky News.
To mark this lovely gesture, the Royal Family released an official portrait of Camilla posing next to a whoooole bunch of Paddingtons (but nowhere near all of them).
Sharing the photo to Instagram, the royals wrote, "Please look after this bear
"The Queen Consort is pictured with some of the 1,000 teddy bears that were left in tribute to Queen Elizabeth, and will shortly find new loving homes with @barnardos_uk children’s services. The bears have been scrubbed up to look their best, before they are delivered to their new home.
"The bears are currently being well looked after at Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and in the Royal Parks nursery located in Hyde Park.
"The photograph was taken by @chrisjacksongetty at Clarence House on 13 October 2022 - the 64th anniversary of the publication of the first Paddington bear book."
My heart might just explode.
-
Dressing the Culture ClassOver a decade after launching her label, Daniella Kallmeyer is still just a cool girl creating the wardrobe we all want.
-
Jennifer Aniston Asked Fans to Support the Matthew Perry Foundation: "He Would Have Been Grateful for the Love"
The world lost Perry on Oct. 28.
-
Julia Roberts Just Shared a Rare Photo of Her Twins as Babies for Their 19th Birthday
So sweet!
-
Apparently King Charles and Prince William Aren’t as Close as We’ve Assumed They Were Since Queen Elizabeth’s Death
Instead of working together for the good of the Crown, Omid Scobie writes that the two are more interested in individual success.
-
In Between a Rock and a Hard Place, King Charles Might Have the Solution to See Both of His Sons Over the Holidays
Here’s what we know about Prince William, Prince Harry, and Christmas at Sandringham.
-
Prince William and Princess Kate Showed How in Love They Are With Affectionate Moment During State Visit
So beautiful.
-
Prince William Just Dethroned This Celebrity for the Title of “World’s Sexiest Bald Man 2023”
The methodology to choose this winner is truly mind-blowing.
-
A Very Bold 11-Year-Old Boy Asked Prince William How Much Money Was in His Bank Account
William’s response was nothing if not interesting.
-
Prince William is “Furious” About This Claim in Omid Scobie’s Latest Book, Commentator Says
“He’s just saying it’s absolutely not true.”
-
Prince William and Prince Harry’s Relationship is Over for Good, Royal Biographer Writes: “There’s No Going Back”
In his new book “Endgame,” Omid Scobie writes that William is convinced Harry has been brainwashed by an “army of therapists.”
-
Prince William Showed Subtle Signs That His Role As the “Family Rock” is Taking Its Toll, Body Language Expert Says
He joined his father, King Charles, at Remembrance Sunday yesterday.
