Why is the BBC using Paddington to remember Her Majesty?

Here comes Paddington – again. Earlier this year, to celebrate her platinum jubilee, the Queen agreed to be filmed taking tea with Paddington in a sketch whose final punchline was a joke about marmalade sandwiches. Her Majesty told the bear she always carries one in her handbag, just in case. 

On film she was excellent, unshowy, watchable but not predictable, with an obvious knack for comedy. The short film was doubtless inspired by the Queen’s acclaimed performance alongside Daniel Craig, as James Bond, during the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympics. But there’s a big difference between a British spy and a Peruvian bear.

For Bond to meet the Queen was a witty conflation of fiction and reality. It seemed natural for 007 to appear at Buckingham Palace because he bears the rank of Commander in the royal navy and he serves the crown with faith and courage.