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Chronicle Live
National
Sonia Sharma

Mourners asked not to leave Paddington Bear toys in tribute to Queen

People are being asked not to leave Paddington Bear toys in tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Mourners have instead been advised to place unwrapped flowers at a dedicated site in The Green Park, close to the late Queen's London residence. The Royal Parks is also urging well-wishers to refrain from leaving balloons and lit candles there.

The charity said on its website: "In the interests of sustainability, we ask visitors to only lay organic or compostable material. The public will be asked to remove all wrapping from floral tributes and place these in the bins provided.

Read More: Full list of rules for visiting the Queen’s coffin to pay respects ahead of state funeral

"Removing the wrapping will aid the longevity of the flowers and will assist in subsequent composting which will start between one week and a fortnight after the date of the funeral."

Thousands of people have descended on Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and Balmoral following the death of the monarch on Thursday, with scores of tributes being left for the Queen. The 96-year-old famously appeared in a sketch alongside Paddington Bear as part of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June.

In it, she comically revealed that she keeps a marmalade sandwich in her handbag - a favourite food of Paddington Bear. In remembrance, people are now leaving Paddington toys and even marmalade sandwiches in tribute to the late monarch.

The Royal Parks says cards and labels can be left, which will eventually be "separated from flowers and stored". Its statement continued: "Unfortunately, no gifts and artefacts will be accepted, and the public will be asked not to bring these to the parks. Non-floral objects/artefacts such as teddy bears or balloons should not be brought.

"It will not be possible to light candles in the parks. Lit candles will be extinguished and periodically removed."

The tributes will remain in place until after the Queen's state funeral on September 19, when they will be removed over an estimated 14-day period.

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