Viewers commended the BBC for delivering a “fitting conclusion” to the day of the Queen’s funeral by airing Paddington 2 following the royal funeral.
Yesterday evening, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was put to rest following six hours of BBC coverage of the burial ceremony.
As a result of their surprising appearance in a sketch for the Queen’s diamond jubilee festivities, Paddington Bear became intimately identified with the monarch.
Hundreds of thousands of people placed flowers and stuffed Paddington bears at the gates of Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle in respect to the Queen after her death on September 8.
Viewers praised the decision to air Paddington 2 following the Queen’s funeral as “wonderful.” During her platinum jubilee celebrations, the monarch was spotted conversing with Paddington and taking a sandwich from her handbag in an endearing skit.
As news of the Queen’s passing spread, people left stuffed Paddington bears at the walls of Buckingham Palace in tribute to the iconic television moment.
After the committal service for Queen Elizabeth at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, BBC One thrilled viewers by continuing the moving homage with Paddington 2.
One viewer commented, ‘Cherry on top?’ after praising the selection online. Yep! After a day filled with emotion for so many people, I’m glad the BBC opted to air Paddington 2 tonight.
Another said, “A perfect end to the day with the BBC airing Paddington 2, still one of the best films we’ve created in the past decade.”
One admirer commented, “My son sleeps with two Paddington toys every night, and I’ve watched Paddington 2 three times in the last month and I’m still not bored; wonderful pick by the BBC today.”
Many also left drawings of Paddington and the Queen outside royal palaces in remembrance of the deceased monarch.
One mourner who posted one of the cartoons also appreciated the BBC’s selection, joking, “OMG, they are genuinely airing Paddington 2!” I had no idea, that’s amusing, the licensing cost is guaranteed for fifty years!’
Another fan commented, “Paddington 2 is a lovely and fitting way to close the day; good choice, BBC; I believe the Queen would be pleased.”
One reader commented, “Paddington 2 is currently on on BBC One and it’s warming my heart.”
Tom Murrary, age nine, clutched his Paddington Bear while viewing Her Majesty’s official funeral on a giant screen in the Belfast City Hall grounds.
During the Queen’s send-off on Monday, this woman donned the colors of the Union flag and sat next to a large Paddington Bear puppet in Hyde Park, London.
Meanwhile, it was revealed today that Paddington Bears left as a tribute to the Queen in Green and Hyde Parks may end up languishing in storage due to the difficulty of determining their future.
In the aftermath of Her Majesty’s death last week, the Peruvian plush toy became an unlikely symbol of sorrow.
Hundreds of the furry blue duffle coat-wearing creatures were placed in Green Park and Hyde Park in honor of the Queen.
Because there were so many, organizers requested that only floral tributes be left, effectively prohibiting bears.
Today, it was asserted that the dozens of Paddingtons left as tributes to the Queen in various parts of London could be left to languish in storage.
But the polite request fell on deaf ears, and the Paddingtons continued to arrive, with a large number clearly visible and present this morning.
In approximately one week, the flower tributes will be removed with care and converted into park-use compost.
However, a decision regarding the Paddingtons and other toys has not yet been made, with the current plan being to store them until a decision can be made regarding their future.
Despite their obvious sentimental value, they are unlikely to be in a condition to be given away after spending at least a week in the elements.