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The Queen Consort has described it as ‘a pleasure’ to re-home Paddington bears with vulnerable children at a nursery after thousands of the toys were left in tribute to the late monarch.

Camilla chatted with dozens of youngsters cared for by Barnardo’s charity at Bow day nursery in east London, during a picnic complete with marmalade sandwiches.

During the visit, Camilla gave the children Paddington bear toys which members of the public had left at the Long Walk in Windsor and outside Buckingham Palace following the Queen’s death in September. 

They were among more than a thousand teddy bears and soft toys left outside the monarch’s residences. 

She revealed to a group of children she ‘loves mess’, while she later told them: ‘It has been a pleasure to find a home for these bears – please look after them carefully’.

Royal officials announced last month that the bears would be cleaned and distributed to children in need via Barnardo’s, the charity of which she was patron for more than 30 years.

The Queen Consort has described it as 'a pleasure' to re-home Paddington bears with vulnerable children at a nursery after thousands of the toys were left in tribute to the late monarch

The Queen Consort has described it as ‘a pleasure’ to re-home Paddington bears with vulnerable children at a nursery after thousands of the toys were left in tribute to the late monarch

Camilla chatted with dozens of youngsters cared for by Barnardo's charity at Bow day nursery in east London, during a picnic complete with marmalade sandwiches

Camilla chatted with dozens of youngsters cared for by Barnardo’s charity at Bow day nursery in east London, during a picnic complete with marmalade sandwiches

She revealed to a group of children she 'loves mess', while she urged them to 'look after the bears carefully'

She revealed to a group of children she ‘loves mess’, while she urged them to ‘look after the bears carefully’

Her Majesty arrived in a convoy of electric taxis which transported the toys from Buckingham Palace and Clarence House thanks to the London Taxi Drivers’ Charity for Children, of which she is also patron.

Camilla was joined by Paddington film cast members Hugh Bonneville and Madeleine Harris, and author Michael Bond’s daughter, Karen Jankel, for whom he wrote the stories.

On Thursday, Camilla was greeted by Barnardo’s chief executive Lynn Perry MBE and its chair of trustees John Bartlett before being taken on a tour of the nursery by team manager Shamima Ahmed.

The Queen Consort joined a group of children aged two and under around a table, and two-year-old Noa Nkemdirim hovered nearby until Camilla gave her a hug.

Camilla had travelled to the nursery in a car filled with some of the Paddingtons before she presented the bears to the children at the nursery

Camilla had travelled to the nursery in a car filled with some of the Paddingtons before she presented the bears to the children at the nursery

Camilla had travelled to the nursery in a car filled with some of the Paddingtons before she presented the bears to the children at the nursery 

Camilla also spoke with a circle of older children who were playing with blue foam, asking them: ‘What are we doing here? Making a mess? We love a bit of mess.’

To mark the end of her visit, the Queen Consort shared marmalade sandwiches seated beside Mr Bonneville, Ms Harris and Ms Jankel, while around 40 children sat cross-legged at their feet.

Three-year-old Oscar Isherwood shouted: ‘I don’t like marmalade’ while others clamoured to receive a bear from the Queen Consort.

Camilla gently told the children to place the tiny boots on their Paddington bears ‘otherwise he won’t be able to go outside’.

Camilla gently told the children to place the tiny boots on their Paddington bears 'otherwise he won't be able to go outside'

Camilla gently told the children to place the tiny boots on their Paddington bears ‘otherwise he won’t be able to go outside’

The Queen Consort presented the bears to a number of different children during her visit to the nursery today

The Queen Consort presented the bears to a number of different children during her visit to the nursery today 

During the visit, Camilla gave the children Paddington bear toys which members of the public had left at the Long Walk in Windsor and outside Buckingham Palace following the Queen's death in September

During the visit, Camilla gave the children Paddington bear toys which members of the public had left at the Long Walk in Windsor and outside Buckingham Palace following the Queen’s death in September

Camilla chatted with with actor Hugh Bonneville during a special teddy bears picnic at a Barnardo's Nursery

Camilla chatted with with actor Hugh Bonneville during a special teddy bears picnic at a Barnardo’s Nursery

Camilla was joined by Paddington film cast members Hugh Bonneville and Madeleine Harris, and author Michael Bond's daughter, Karen Jankel, for whom he wrote the stories

Camilla was joined by Paddington film cast members Hugh Bonneville and Madeleine Harris, and author Michael Bond's daughter, Karen Jankel, for whom he wrote the stories

Camilla was joined by Paddington film cast members Hugh and Madeleine Harris, and author Michael Bond’s daughter, Karen Jankel, for whom he wrote the stories

To mark the end of her visit, the Queen Consort shared marmalade sandwiches seated beside Mr Bonneville, Ms Harris and Ms Jankel, while around 40 children sat cross-legged at their feet

To mark the end of her visit, the Queen Consort shared marmalade sandwiches seated beside Mr Bonneville, Ms Harris and Ms Jankel, while around 40 children sat cross-legged at their feet

Bonneville, who plays Mr Brown, read Bond’s story ‘Paddington Takes a Bath’ to the children, echoing the way their bears had all needed a clean before arriving at the nursery.

Carer Leighann Ives and three-year-old Serena Wicks presented the Queen Consort with a bouquet and a thank-you note.

Camilla had travelled to the nursery in a car filled with some of the Paddingtons, on a journey from Clarence House in Westminster, along the Mall and past London landmarks including Trafalgar Square and Tower Bridge.     

During her visit, Camilla joined children supported by Bow Nursery and Barnardo¿s staff for the picnic, alongside key characters from the world of Paddington

During her visit, Camilla joined children supported by Bow Nursery and Barnardo’s staff for the picnic, alongside key characters from the world of Paddington

It was announced last month that over 1,000 Paddingtons and teddy bears left as tributes in London and Windsor would be donated to Barnardo’s children’s services. 

Paddington became a totem for the Queen in the days following her death because one of her last public appearances was in the delightful sketch she filmed with him for her Platinum Jubilee

The late Queen had charmed TV viewers with the Jubilee sketch depicting her taking tea with Paddington at Buckingham Palace, revealing that she kept a marmalade sandwich in her handbag.

The skit was actually filmed, amid great secrecy, at Windsor Castle, and led to the bears being left alongside flowers in London’s Green Park and Hyde Park after the Queen’s death. 

From Deepest Darkest Peru to Barnado's! Camilla personally delivers stuffed toys left as tributes to the late Queen to charity in London at teddy bear's picnic

From Deepest Darkest Peru to Barnado’s! Camilla personally delivers stuffed toys left as tributes to the late Queen to charity in London at teddy bear’s picnic

The Queen Consort, who was elegantly dressed in an emerald green coat dress for the outing, beamed as she arrived at the Barnardo's in Bow this morning

The Queen Consort, who was elegantly dressed in an emerald green coat dress for the outing, beamed as she arrived at the Barnardo’s in Bow this morning

Her Majesty arrived in a convoy of electric taxis which transported the toys from Buckingham Palace and Clarence House thanks to the London Taxi Drivers' Charity for Children, of which she is also patron

Her Majesty arrived in a convoy of electric taxis which transported the toys from Buckingham Palace and Clarence House thanks to the London Taxi Drivers’ Charity for Children, of which she is also patron

Almost 200 volunteers collected up all the tributes, loading them on to wagons drawn by two grey Shire horses.

On October 13 2022, Camilla was photographed in the Morning Room at Clarence House with some of the hundreds of Paddingtons and teddy bears to be donated to Barnardo’s. 

Mourners left so many stuffed toys, as well as the character’s beloved marmalade sandwiches, amid the floral tributes that Royal Parks bosses had to urge them to stop. 

Prince William later said he got ‘choked up’ seeing the Paddingtons, admitting: ‘It is the things you don’t expect that get to you.’ 

On October 13 2022, Camilla was photographed (above) with some of the hundreds of Paddingtons to be donated to Barnardo's

On October 13 2022, Camilla was photographed (above) with some of the hundreds of Paddingtons to be donated to Barnardo’s

Ahead of their distribution, Buckingham Palace and Royal Parks issued a charming video and photographs showing the bears’ journey from collection to sorting.

And how better to bide their time by enjoying all that Buckingham Palace and neighbouring Clarence House, where the King and Queen Consort currently live, have to offer?

One can be seen standing in the entrance to the throne room, while another is cheekily taking the chance to slide down the bannister on the Grand Staircase – something that even the royal children probably have never had the chance to do.

Ahead of their distribution, Buckingham Palace and Royal Parks issued a charming video and photographs showing the bears' journey from collection to sorting (pictured)

Ahead of their distribution, Buckingham Palace and Royal Parks issued a charming video and photographs showing the bears’ journey from collection to sorting (pictured)  

A little family of bears can also be seen enjoying the peace and quiet of its Morning Room besides a picture of Her late Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh with their 'elevenses' - a cup of tea and a marmalade sandwich, of course!

A little family of bears can also be seen enjoying the peace and quiet of its Morning Room besides a picture of Her late Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh with their ‘elevenses’ – a cup of tea and a marmalade sandwich, of course!

Another is cheekily taking the chance to slide down the bannister on the Grand Staircase - something that even the royal children probably have never had the chance to do

Another is cheekily taking the chance to slide down the bannister on the Grand Staircase – something that even the royal children probably have never had the chance to do

One Paddington toy can be seen standing in the entrance to the throne room while still holding his suitcase, pictured

One Paddington toy can be seen standing in the entrance to the throne room while still holding his suitcase, pictured

Paddington also took the opportunity to enjoy a little light reading in the Clarence House library. His title of choice? Paddington Takes A Bath, naturally.

And a little family of bears can also be seen enjoying the peace and quiet of its Morning Room besides a picture of Her late Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh with their ‘elevenses’ – a cup of tea and a marmalade sandwich, of course!

The Queen was patron of the charity from 1983 to 2016 before handing over to Camilla, who was already its president. 

A Paddington Bear left outside Balmoral Castle, where the Queen died on September 8 2022

A Paddington Bear left outside Balmoral Castle, where the Queen died on September 8 2022

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