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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Chris Slater

People asked not to leave Paddington Bears and wrapped marmalade sandwiches as tributes to the Queen

Those wanting to pay their respects to The Queen have been asked to not leave teddy bears, or items other than flowers, at the dedicated London tribute site.

Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday, thousands of well-wishers have travelled to royal sites as the country mourns the loss of its longest-reigning monarch.

Among the tributes that have been left for her across the country include Paddington Bear teddies and memorabilia and marmalade sandwiches, a nod to Her Majesty's legendary TV sketch with the much-loved children's character during the Platinum Jubilee, as well as items such as balloons and candles.

READ MORE: Queen's coffin reaches Edinburgh as historic proclamation of King Charles III is made in Manchester - latest updates

However, those overseeing the principal tribute site in central London have gently asked that "In the interests of sustainability, we ask visitors to only lay organic or compostable material."

A floral tribute garden has been opened in Green Park just a short distance from Buckingham Palace where people can leave flowers in her memory. Any flowers left outside Buckingham Palace are also being sensitively moved there at the end of each day.

(PA)

The Royal Parks, the charity which manages Green Park, has published information on its website which asks that all plastic wrapping is removed from flowers.

And they say: "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."

"Cards and labels will, however, be accepted and will be periodically removed by The Royal Parks’ staff and contractors for storage offsite. This process will be carried out with discretion and sensitivity." Adding: "Visitors must not leave artefacts in any other areas of the parks."

(PA)

They say "it will not be possible to light candles in the parks" and that "lit candles will be extinguished and periodically removed."

They say the floral tributes will be monitored and those that have "deteriorated" will be taken to the Hyde Park nursery for processing to remove any remaining packaging, cards and labels and to separate plant material for composting in nearby Kensington Gardens.

This organic composted material will be used on shrubberies and landscaping projects across the Royal Parks. A number of civic-minded people have been filmed on social media removing plastic wrapping from flowers to aid the process.

The tributes will remain in the park all ceremonial activity has taken place and it is expected all floral tributes will be removed between a week and a fortnight after The Queen's state funeral, now confirmed as taking place on Monday September 19 at Westminster Abbey.

We have turned comments off on this story but you can share your tribute in our online condolence book.

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