PADDINGTON Bear has paid a touching tribute to the Queen – thanking her for “everything” in a sweet Twitter post.
Her Majesty died peacefully this afternoon aged 96 – marking an end to her historic reign and sparking an outpouring of grief.
Among the mourners was fictional character Paddington Bear – who was seen having tea with the Queen during her Platinum Jubilee.
The monarch delighted viewers as she sat down with the animated bear for tea at Windsor Castle in a surprise sketch.
It saw character Paddington thank Her Majesty “for everything” – a sentiment echoed in a message shared to Twitter this afternoon.
“Thank you Ma’am, for everything,” the Paddington Bear account wrote, paying respects to the Queen.
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In a sombre statement, Buckingham Palace today confirmed Her Majesty Elizabeth II, the longest-serving monarch in British history, had passed away – making her son, Charles, King.
Buckingham Palace announced in a statement tonight: “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.
“The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.”
The Queen’s passing comes as…
Charles, who will now be known as King Charles III, gave a sombre statement as he led the nation in mourning tonight.
He said: “The death of my beloved mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family.
“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.
“During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which the Queen was so widely held.”
The Queen was seen having tea with Paddington Bear during her Platinum Jubilee celebrations earlier this year.
In the cheeky clip – Paddington hoped that Her Majesty was “having a lovely Jubilee” before she offered him some tea.
He then offered her a marmalade sandwich, which was hidden underneath his hat – before she leant into her own black handbag.
Her Majesty joked that she too saved marmalade sandwiches in her bag “for later” – delighting viewers at home.
Paddington – voiced by actor Ben Whishaw – congratulated and thanked the Queen for her 70 years of service at the end of the clip.
The sequence ended with Her Majesty and Paddington tapping a spoon to the beat of Queen’s We Will Rock You, which kickstarted the show on June 4.
Since news broke of The Queen’s tragic death, tributes have flooded in from world leaders, including Prime Minister Liz Truss.
The PM, who was formally appointed by the Queen just two days ago, said the Queen’s death was a “huge shock to the nation and the world”.
US President Joe Biden hailed the royal as “more than a monarch” and said she “defined an era”.
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Barack Obama said he and wife Michelle had been “awed” by the Queen’s “legacy of tireless, dignified public service”.
While ex-Prime Minister Boris Johnson said today was the “country’s saddest day”.
Her passing comes after Prince Charles and Prince William raced to be by the Queen’s side after doctors confirmed they were “concerned” for her health.
