Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty
On Saturday, Buckingham Palace, The Royal Parks and Barnado’s children’s charity announced the decision to gift the Paddingtons and teddy bears to Barnado’s children services — a nonprofit organization that the late monarch passed toQueen Camillain 2016.
“The teddy bears will all be professionally cleaned and delivered in the coming weeks,” a press release read.
To celebrate the announcement, a new photograph of The Queen Consort, 75, was also shared, featuring Her Royal Highness with some of the Paddingtons and teddy bears.
In the photo, Queen Camilla wore a dark outfit as she posed before a large group of plush toys. The official picture was taken in the Morning Room at Clarence House on Thursday, which marked the 64th anniversary of the publication of the first Paddington bear book.
While waiting to be delivered to the nonprofit organization, the teddy bears are currently being “well looked after” at Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and in the Royal Parks nursery situated in Hyde Park, according to the release.
Barnado’s Chief Executive Lynn Perry MBE expressed her gratitude in a statement for the project and recognized the lateQueen Elizabeth’s involvement with the charity “for over 30 years,” and vowing to “look after these bears who will be well-loved and bring joy to the children we support.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up to date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
“We are incredibly grateful to Her Majesty The Queen Consort for her support in helping us to raise awareness of the needs of vulnerable children and young people in the UK so that we can continue to support them through our vital services,” the statement continued.
For more on the Royals, listen below to our daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day.
The public was reminded of the late monarch’s relationship with Paddington Bears in June after the late Queen surprised everyone when she joined the famous British children’s book and film character in a fun sketch to open the Platinum Party at the Palace. Thehilarious skitfeatured the monarch hosting the beloved bear for tea — and revealing what she keeps in her trusty handbag: a marmalade sandwich!
The surprise at the Platinum Party was kept top secret — so much so that even members of the royal family had no idea about it until they were watching it open the star-studded concert.Prince GeorgeandPrincess Charlottewere clearly amazed, smiling and gasping as they watched their great-grandmother’s interactions with Paddington onscreen. (Prince Charles, however, may have been clued in — his speech earlier in the day did reference a marmalade sandwich.)
“Thank you, Ma’am, for everything,” read a tweet from the beloved bear’s account at the time.
source: people.com
