The BBC has been accused of 'pulling at viewers' heartstrings' as they reaired the Queen's skit with Paddington Bear. Earlier this year, during her Platinum Jubilee celebrations, the late monarch surprised everyone by appearing alongside the Peruvian bear inside Buckingham Palace.
The sketch saw the Queen sit down at a table opposite a clumsy Paddington in the iconic setting just before the BBC's Party at the Palace. In the scenes, the animated children's character was seen having tea with Her Majesty and offering her a marmalade sandwich, only for her to pull her own from her handbag.
The Peruvian bear then congratulated the Queen on her 70-year reign, saying: "Happy Jubilee Ma’am. And thank you for everything.” And she replied: "That’s very kind." They were then informed the special Jubilee concert was about to start and tapped along to Queen's 'We Will Rock You' on their teacups.
Following the news of Queen Elizabeth II's death on Thursday, September 8, the official account for Paddington Bear recounted his words from the joyful scenes aired in the summer and tweeted: "Thank you Ma’am, for everything."
After changes to their planned schedules following the Queen's passing, aged 96, to make way for rolling news coverage and tribute documentaries, the BBC decided to pay a different kind of homage to the late monarch. They have decided to air the Paddington Bear moving on Saturday night (September 17) followed by the second film on Monday night (September 19) following the Queen's state funeral.
When Paddington met the Queen prefaced the first film and it came with its own tribute, with the BBC saying it was being aired 'in on of Her Majesty The Queen'. And it appears it got viewers a bit emotional.
@LifeAsKimBlog tweeted "BBC are really pulling at our heartstrings tonight putting When Paddington Met the Queen on and then the #Paddington film on." @cool_aardvark posted: "I’m watching when Paddington met the Queen followed by Paddington, one of the best films ever, or I’m trying to watch, but I seem to have something in my eye."
@pbjcowgirl shared: "Literally crying while watching Paddington." @NorthAlison penned: "Love the fact that Paddington on BBC the Queen's best friend."
The airing of the sketch and the film came after royal fans were left in tears while watching the Queen's eight grandchildren hold vigil around her coffin as she lies in state in Westminster Hall. The Prince of Wales led his brother the Duke of Sussex, as well as his cousins Zara Tindall and Peter Philips, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie and Lady Louise Windsor and Viscount Severn into Westminster Hall early on Saturday evening (September 16).
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