‘The perfect tribute’: Viewers say BBC decision to broadcast Paddington 2 after Queen’s funeral proved a ‘fitting end’ to a ‘day full of emotions’

• Touching tribute evokes memories of Queen’s skit with Paddington Bear in June
• The monarch featured with the beloved character during her platinum jubilee 
• Viewers said the film screening after the funeral rounded off the day perfectly
• The Queen’s funeral: All the latest Royal Family news and coverage

Viewers have praised the BBC for providing a ‘fitting end’ to the Queen’s funeral day by screening the much-loved Paddington 2 after the state funeral. 

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was laid to rest yesterday evening following six hours of coverage of the spectacular funeral ceremony on the BBC.

Paddington Bear became closely associated with the Queen after the two appeared together in a surprise sketch for the monarch’s platinum jubilee celebrations.

As hundreds of thousands of people mourned the Queen after she passed away on September 8, many left flowers and toy Paddingtons in tribute to her at the gates of Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle.

The move to show Paddington 2 after the Queen’s funeral was hailed as ‘fantastic’ by viewers. It followed an adorable skit, which featured the monarch chatting to Paddington and pulling a sandwich from her handbag during her platinum jubilee celebrations, pictured

The beloved moment of TV history prompted people to leave toy Paddington bears at the walls of Buckingham Palace as news broke of the Queen’s death

Following the committal service for Queen Elizabeth St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, the BBC delighted viewers by continuing the touching tribute and showing Paddington 2 on BBC One.

Many praised the choice online – one viewer said: ‘Cherry on top? Yep! After a day full of emotions for so many people, I am pleased the BBC decided to show Paddington 2 this evening.’

Another added the iconic film was ‘A fitting end to the day from the BBC showing Paddington 2, still one of the best movies we’ve produced in the last decade.’ 

One fan said: ‘My boy sleeps with two Paddington toys every night and it’s the third time I’ve watched Paddington 2 in the last month and I still don’t get bored, great choice from the BBC after today.’

Many also shared cartoons of Paddington and the Queen in tribute to the late monarch, many of which were left outside royal palaces.

One mourner who shared one of the cartoons also praised the BBC’s choice, joking: ‘Omg they literally are screening Paddington 2 I didn’t realise, that’s hilarious, the license fee is secure for 50 years!’

Another fan said: ‘Paddington 2 is a perfect and fitting ending to the day, good decision BBC, I think the Queen would approve.’ 

One viewer added: ‘Paddington 2 is on BBC One and it’s warming my heart.’ 

Royal fan Tom Murrary, nine, clasped his Paddington Bear while watching Her Majesty’s state funeral on a large screen in the grounds of Belfast City Hall on Monday

Decked in the red, white and blue of the Union flag, this woman was sat next to a large Paddington Bear puppet at Hyde Park, London, during the Queen’s send-off yesterday

Meanwhile, it today emerged that Paddington Bears left in tribute to the Queen in Green and Hyde Parks may end up languishing in storage as decisions about their future prove a thorny issue.

The Peruvian cuddly toy became an unlikely symbol of grief in the aftermath of Her Majesty’s death last week.

Hundreds of the furry blue duffle coat-sporting figures were laid in honour of the Queen at sites including Green Park and Hyde Park.

There were so many of them, organisers requested that only floral tributes be left – effectively banning the bears.

The scores of Paddingtons left in tribute to the Queen across parts of London could be left to languish in storage, it has today been claimed

But the polite ask fell on deaf ears and the Paddingtons kept coming, with many clearly visible and on location this morning.

In around a week the floral tributes will be sensitively removed and turned into compost to be used in the parks.

But a decision about the Paddingtons and other toys have not yet been made, with the plan currently to store them until someone is able to make a call on their future.

Organisers have a difficult decision to make as they are of obvious sentimental value, but after at least a week in the elements seem unlikely to be in a condition to be given away.

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