Queen Elizabeth II is leaving an award-winning mark on the film industry thanks to her collaboration with Britain’s favorite animal, Paddington Bear.
The late Head of the Commonwealth realms was the longest-ruling monarch in British history, with a record-breaking reign of 70 years. The beloved ruler took her final breath in September 2022 at 96.
Seven months after the late monarch died, her wealth of achievements increased with an honorary trophy at this year’s British Academy Television Awards.
The Late Queen Elizabeth II Receives Special Recognition At The 2023 BAFTA Ceremony From Paddington Cast
As shared by PEOPLE, the former ruler of the United Kingdom was posthumously honored at the annual television awards show thanks to her iconic sketch with Paddington Bear. The late Queen starred alongside the children’s book character in the “Paddington Meets The Queen” skit from Platinum Jubilee: Party at the Palace.
The touching scene won the P&O Cruises Memorable Moment Award at the BAFTA ceremony, the only trophy public votes could achieve. The sketch was broadcasted in June 2022 during the monarch’s Platinum Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace.
In the two-and-a-half-minute skit, the deceased ruler and the fictional bear enjoyed a cup of tea with marmalade sandwiches, Paddington’s favorite meal. Simon Farnaby, who starred as the butler in the memorable sketch, paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth in his heartwarming acceptance speech.
Speaking on behalf of the Paddington cast, the British Horrible Histories troupe member began his message with a shout-out. “Our thanks go to the mostly invisible team of wonderful filmmakers who created this lovingly handcrafted moment,” the TV personality said.
Farnaby claimed the Queen and Paddington enjoyed a “joyful Jubilee tea” while filming the skit. The “Ghosts” star believed the late monarch received a unique goodbye thanks to the touching moment.
“It was also perhaps a farewell because the person who most deserves this award is no longer with us to receive it,” the 50-year-old declared before sweetly concluding, “We can only accept it on her behalf and say, ‘Thank you, ma’am, for everything.’ “
The friendly spectacled bear, voiced by the actor Ben Whishaw, also expressed his gratitude for the stellar achievement on Twitter. After the award show, Paddington’s official page shared the adorable message:
“Mr. Brown said we’ve won a BAFTA, but I’m not quite sure what that means. Bear Awards For Teatime Adventures? How marvelous. Thank you all. #BAFTATVAwards”
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Ben Whishaw, Simon Farnaby and team take to the stage to collect the P&O Cruises Memorable Moment Award for Paddington meets The Queen from the Platinum Jubilee: Party At The Palace! 👑#BAFTATVAwards with @pandocruises pic.twitter.com/jaXcGe05XS
— BAFTA (@BAFTA) May 14, 2023
This was not the first time the marmalade-loving character honored Queen Elizabeth’s memory. Shortly after her death, the children’s book character tweeted, “Thank you, Ma’am, for everything.”
Over One Thousand Paddington Stuffed Toys Were Used To Honor The Late Monarch’s Death
A month after the former Queen of England passed, fans left over 1,000 Paddingtons and teddy bears of various sizes outside Royal Residences in London and Windsor as a tribute to the late ruler.
Buckingham Palace, The Royal Parks, and Barnardo’s Children’s Charity announced they would transfer the Paddingtons and teddy bears to one of the former Queen’s nonprofit organizations to ensure these gifts left by mourners did not go to waste.
The toys were sent to Barnado’s children’s services, the institution HerMajesty handed over to now-Queen Camilla in 2016. “The teddy bears will all be professionally cleaned and delivered in the coming weeks,” a released statement announced.
Weeks before the Paddingtons and teddy bears were given to the nonprofit organization, the truth behind the late monarch’s demise was shared. According to the Queen’s death certificate, she died at 3:10 PM local time on Thursday, September 8, 2022.
The 96-year-old passed away at Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The document highlighted the Sovereign of the Royal Victorian Order honoree’s official cause of death as “old age.”
This matched the royal family’s statements after Elizabeth II’s death. “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon,” the message read, noting that King Charles III and then-Queen Consort Camilla would stay at Balmoral before returning to London.
In his tribute to the late ruler, the former Prince of Wales described his mother’s passing as “a moment of the greatest sadness” for the royal family and himself. The 74-year-old penned: “We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother.”
“I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world,” the King continued his poignant message, acknowledging the world’s “deep affection and respect” for his deceased mother.
