Paddington at the Palace! Queen is introduced to everyone’s favourite bear as she hosts reception for young writers

Paddington Bear Makes Royal Appearance as Queen Camilla Hosts Young Writers

During a reception at Windsor Castle, Queen Camilla was presented with a visit from Paddington Bear, the beloved fictional character who joined the event in a whimsical display of camaraderie. The gathering marked the culmination of the BBC 500 Words competition, an annual writing contest for children aged five to 11.

Camilla, 78, greeted the bear with a graceful curtsy before exchanging hands, embodying the warmth of the occasion. The ceremony also featured notable figures such as Rose Ayling-Ellis, The One Show hosts Roman Kemp and Alex Jones, and Sir Lenny Henry, who attended alongside finalists and judges. A touching interaction unfolded as Camilla offered a heartfelt embrace to one of the young participants, highlighting the emotional significance of the event.

Hosting the finals, the Queen continued her active role in public service following the recent controversy involving Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. The event drew the largest assembly of royals since the younger Duke of York’s arrest, with King Charles, Princess Anne, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester in attendance. His Majesty had earlier announced the Queen Elizabeth Prizes for Higher and Further Education at St James’s Palace on February 24.

Representing a decade of royal patronage, the BBC 500 Words competition encourages creativity through short stories. This year’s 50 selected entries were chosen from over 45,000 submissions, with six narratives to be read aloud by celebrities at today’s gathering. Attendees included Jodie Whittaker, Sara Cox, and Bradley Walsh, alongside the Two Gladiators, who added a touch of humor to the proceedings.

“Every year I’m amazed at how funny, wise, ambitious and bonkers our children’s stories can be. And every year we judges have a massive fight about which story is the funniest, wisest, most ambitious and most bonkers,”

— Frank Cottrell-Boyce, a celebrated writer and judge of the competition.

Prince William, 43, conducted a separate engagement by visiting the Francis Crick Institute in London to spotlight advancements in biomedical research. Meanwhile, the ongoing police inquiry into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, linked to allegations of sharing confidential details with Jeffrey Epstein, continued to dominate headlines. Camilla maintained composure during a recent horse racing event near her childhood home in East Sussex, as the investigation progressed.

King Charles issued a statement reaffirming his commitment to the inquiry, just hours after Andrew’s arrest. The palace reportedly remained unaware of the former Duke of York’s detention, underscoring the unexpected nature of the situation. The event at Windsor Castle, featuring the bear and a host of media personalities, served as a reminder of the monarchy’s enduring connection to youth and creativity.