Late Queen's 'frail' health caused major change to Jubilee Paddington Bear sketch

When royal fans look back on the long life of Queen Elizabeth, there are many memorable and famous moments to reflect on. But in the final few years of the monarch's death, there was one event that will stick in the minds of many, and it occurred as she marked her Platinum Jubilee in 2021.

The late Queen filmed her much-loved Platinum Jubilee Paddington Bear Sketch at Windsor Castle instead of Buckingham Palace as she was too "frail" at the time.

As we previously reported, the former monarch, who passed away on September 8, 2022 aged 96 at her beloved Balmoral estate in Aberdeenshire, starred in a fun loving sketch alongside Paddington Bear to mark the beginning of her jubilee celebrations as she celebrated her historic 70-year reign over Britain.

According to OK!, the comical sketch was widely believed to have been filmed inside Buckingham Palace, but actor Simon Farnaby, who appeared as a footman in the film, revealed last year that the footage actually took place at Windsor Castle where the Queen spent a lot of her time before her death.

The sketch showed Her Majesty sitting across the table from Paddington with some tea and treats laid out but their tea party soon turned into chaos as the nation's favourite accident prone bear drank all the tea, as writes the Mirror. The character spilled cream everywhere, including on Simon and then offered the Queen a marmalade sandwich which he retrieved from underneath his red hat.

However, in a fun moment, the monarch responded by opening up her handbag to reveal her own personal stash of marmalade sandwiches. The hilarious clip ended with the pair both tapping to the beat of We Will Rock You as the Queen song began at the concert. The sketch was shown at the Platinum Party at the Palace on June 4, 2022.

It was a huge success among royal fans and the Queen and Paddington's project took home the Memorable Moment Award at the 2023 BAFTA TV Awards.

Actor Simon went on stage to accept the award and called the segment a "lovingly handcrafted moment".

He said the sketch served as "a farewell" to the longest serving monarch Britain has ever seen before adding: "She had a very joyful Jubilee tea that day… The person who most deserves this award is no longer with us, we can only accept it on her behalf and say ‘Thank you, ma’am, for everything’."

Ben Whishaw, who voiced Paddington bear in both the first and second film, also appeared on stage at the BAFTAS.

After the Queen's passing in September, mourners touchingly left teddy bears and marmalade sandwiches among the floral tributes which gathered outside royal residences.

Dozens of Paddington Bear toys were left in honour of Her Majesty which then went on to be donated to charities.

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