A RELATIVE of Paddington creator Michael Bond has spoken of his sadness the author did not live to see his famous bear charm the nation and the late Queen.

Broadcaster Lord Berkeley, who lives just over the Herefordshire border in Knighton, said the sketch featuring the monarch taking tea at Buckingham Palace with the much-loved children’s character showed "her great sense of fun".

Children’s author Michael Bond died at the age of 91 in 2017.

His first book, A Bear Called Paddington, was published in 1958.

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The Paddington books have sold more than 30 million copies worldwide to date, with the iconic bear also starring in two feature films.

The famous sequence, which was filmed as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations earlier this year, was a viral hit around the world.

Paddington revealed to the Queen how he made sure he always had his favourite treat on him, lifting up his red hat to reveal a marmalade sandwich.

The Queen then delighted him by saying she shared his love of the snack and produced her own from her handbag.

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Lord Berkeley said: "It’s a great sadness to me personally that my brother-in-law, Michael Bond, didn’t live to see Paddington bear, his creation, charm the nation and indeed Her Majesty.

He said that the sequence was a wonderful example of the great sense of fun the Queen had.

He also described her as having "a sense of mischief, a delight in the absurd that she has passed on to her children."

Marmalade sandwiches have been among the tributes left by grieving well-wishers, alongside the many flower bouquets, gifts and hand-written notes.

The sketch was also referenced by justice minister Lord Bellamy in his parliamentary tribute to the late Queen.

He said: "For myself and I would hope most of this nation the self-deprecating under-stated humour of the marmalade sandwich is surely the most powerful statement of human values – even if a subtle statement – that any monarch could ever make."