Queen appears in surprise Jubilee comic sketch with accident-prone Paddington Bear

K.J. Yossman He’s no doubt still pinching himself after his tea with Queen Elizabeth II a few weeks ago but there’s no time to rest for Paddington Bear.

Australian-born British gay activist Peter Tatchell revealed that he had refused an invitation from the organisers of the Queen’s platinum jubilee celebrations to join the event as a ‘national treasure’.Tatchell, in a piece in The Guardian, cited his opposition to the monarchy, the royals’ history of “war, colonialism and slavery” as well as the Queen’s refusal to acknowledge her LGBTQI “subjects” as the reason for refusing the honour. Tatchell said that he was surprised to receive a letter from the organisers inviting him to join the pageant outside the Buckingham Palace on June 5 on the final day of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations “as one of a select group of ‘National Treasures … celebrated, respected and admired people’.”The activist, who is a supporter of the campaign group Republic, said he turned down the invitation for a number of reasons. “While I doubt that the Queen is a raging homophobe, she doesn’t appear to be gay friendly.

kicked off the Platinum Party at the Palace tribute concert outside Buckingham Palace.But many viewers might not have known the real origins of the ursine celebrity who hails from “darkest Peru” — yet was actually inspired by Jewish refugee children.Author Michael Bond, who passed away in 2017 at the age of 91, decided to write a book about an orphaned cub sent to England after spotting a toy bear alone on a shelf at Selfridge’s department store on Christmas Eve in 1956.“It looked rather forlorn,” he told The Sunday Telegraph, so he purchased the bear as a stocking stuffer for his wife and began to write a story about it. Less than two weeks later, he had a completed novel which was sold for 75 pounds.Bond revealed that while writing the first book, “A Bear Called Paddington,” he was partly inspired by vivid memories he had of seeing Jewish refugee children pass through the train station in his hometown of London, on their way to London from Nazi-dominated Europe ahead of World War II.The Kindertransport was an organized rescue effort that saw nearly 10,000 predominantly Jewish children from Germany, Austria, Czechoslovakia and Poland settled in British foster homes and farms.

Platinum Jubilee over the weekend. After the pair snacked on tea and marmalade sandwiches in a two-minute video, the British teddy is now being called out by “Downton Abbey” star Hugh Bonneville.Bonneville, 58, — who played Henry Brown in the “Paddington” films — jokingly accused the bear of stealing utensils from the 96-year-old monarch.The “Notting Hill” star tweeted Sunday, “Hmm @paddingtonbear, there’s an unfamiliar teaspoon in the kitchen drawer at 32 Windsor Gardens… any ideas?” The children’s literary icon denied any wrongdoing, tweeting back: “I’m sorry I don’t.

There was much disappointment when the Queen announced she was pulling out of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations held in her honour in London this weekend.

Queen Elizabeth sure knows how to get the party started. Her Majesty was joined by the lovable Paddington Bear character in a sketch to kick off the star-studded Platinum Party at the Palace.«In one of the videos, Elizabeth is sitting across Paddington as they are about to embark on an afternoon tea.

J. Kim Murphy The Platinum Party at the Palace officially kicked off Saturday evening at Buckingham Palace with an opening sketch featuring Queen Elizabeth II and Paddington Bear sharing a meal.“Perhaps you would like a marmalade sandwich? I always keep one for emergencies,” Paddington Bear asks Her Majesty, procuring a sticky treat from his red bucket cap.“So do I,” the Queen replies, showcasing her own sandwich after reaching into her bag.

Brit monarch Queen Elizabeth II and Paddington Bear have starred in a special short film to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Family walkabout! During Prince William and Duchess Kate’s appearance in Wales during Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, they brought along two special VIP guests: Prince George and Princess Charlotte!

Kim Kardashian may be something of a royal here in the States, but does that mean she gets — or even wants — access to the British royal family’s most lavish events??

Prince Andrew will officially miss another one of Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee events after testing positive for COVID-19. According to royal reporter Omid Scobie, the queen’s 62-year-old son will not attend Friday’s Service of Thanksgiving.

celebrating 70 years as the British empire’s monarch with much pomp and circumstance right now — but that hasn’t drowned out the UK’s noisy fight for political change.If #AbolishTheMonarchy trending on Twitter the same day the four-day Platinum Jubilee launches is any indication, some Brits would like to see Elizabeth be the last monarch.The anti-monarchy group Republic has declared it would like to replace the royals with an elected head of state, especially as the unpopular — in some circles — Prince Charles would take over the throne once his mother dies.In January, Reuters reported that polls indicate the vast majority of people in Britain support the monarchy, and the queen herself is hugely popular. However, there is just not as much support for her eldest son and heir, Charles, and surveys suggest there is growing desire to “ditch the monarchy” among younger Britons.One wannabe activist tweeted on Thursday: “#AbolishTheMonarchy trending during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee bank holiday is beautiful.”Other users called it “nice” and “very refreshing” to see the phrase trending during the queen’s celebratory festivities.

Prince Andrew will officially miss another one of Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee events after testing positive for COVID-19. According to royal reporter Omid Scobie, the queen’s 62-year-old son will not attend Friday’s Service of Thanksgiving.“Prince Andrew 'with regret' will no longer attend tomorrow’s #PlatinumJubilee service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s after testing positive for Covid,” the tweet read.

Queens Jubilee flyover Thursday after he was seen adorably covering his ears next to the Queen — among other cute antics — as planes soared over Buckingham Palace. The 4-year-old’s adorable display occurred after the The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s youngest son joined his family on the famous balcony during the Jubilee flypast amid huge cheers from the crowd on The Mall.

Refresh for latest…: Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations are under way this morning in London with the annual Trooping the Colour parade from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guard’s Parade to celebrate the monarch’s Official Birthday. More than 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians are taking part.

A Kilmarnock baker has won a top industry prize after creating a new cake fit for a Queen.