The Arrival of Emmett 1.

*Knock. Knock. Knock.*

 

SCOUT: "Paddy! Paddy who is at the front door?"

 

PADDY: "I'm not sure, Scout."

 

SCOUT: "Daddy says that we are not to open the door to strangers." *Puts paw to mouth in concern.*

 

PADDY: "Hullo! Who is at the door please?"

 

VOICE FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DOOR: "Hullo Paddy! It's Us, dear Paddington, Queen Lilibet!"

 

SCOUT: *Gasps.* "Ma’am as in Ham!"

 

PADDY: "Oh Your Majesty!"

 

SCOUT: "Wait! It could be a trick, Paddy!" *Tugs on Paddy's sleeve and clutches tightly to Dolly.* "It could be that no-good-break-and-enter-home-wrecking Goldilocks come to gobble up the elevenses that Daddy just put out for us, and to break our chairs and sleep in our bed with her shoes on!" *Looks concerned.* “Or it could be the witch from Hansel and Gretel, come to gobble us up!”

 

PADDY: "Nonsense Scout! There are no witches here! And if it were that no-good-br… err, if it were Goldilocks, chances are she wouldn’t knock, she’s just let herself in." *Opens front door.* " Welcome Your Majesty!" *Doffs hat and bows.* "How do you do? Please, do come inside."

 

HM QUEEN LILIBET: "Oh thank you Paddy! How do you do? How lovely to see you again. And little Scout! My, don’t you look splendid dressed in that blue jingle bell tutu. Is that one the Christmas Bear brought for you last Christmas? And there is Dolly too!"

 

SCOUT: *Looks puzzled.* "You sound like Ma’am as in Ham, and you look like Ma’am as in Ham, but… but where is your crown?." *Gasps.* "Were you set upon by a band of thieves who stole your crown, Ma’am as in Ham?" *Puts paw to mouth in concern.*

 

HM QUEEN LILIBET: "No, sweet little Scout, We were not set upon by a band of wild thieves. See, We still have Our pearls and Our pretty brooch. "

 

SCOUT: "Ooohhh… so pretty! So it is you!" *Runs up and gives HM Queen Lilibet a big little bear hug. "Oh welcome Ma’am as in Ham! What a lovely surprise! If I had known you were coming I would have put on my best jingle bell tutu, which is my pink one. This blue one is only my second best tutu."

 

HM QUEEN LILIBET: "Never mind, little Scout. " *Quietly chuckles.*

 

SCOUT: *Ponders.* "Then where is your crown, Ma’am as in Ham?"

 

HM QUEEN LILIBET: "Well Scout, the last time We visited, it was part of an official tour. Today is very unofficial. Of course, We do have a crown, but We don't wear it all the time. We like wearing hats too. Do you think this one suits Us?" *Preens.*

 

SCOUT: "Oh, yes I do, Ma'am as in Ham."

 

EMMETT: *Quietly from behind HM Queen Lilibet.* ."So do I"

 

SCOUT: "Who are you?"

 

HM QUEEN LILIBET: "Err… this is Emmett."

 

PADDY: "What brings you here on very unofficial duties, Your Majesty?"

 

HM QUEEN LILIBET: "Well… I was just coming to that…"

 

My Paddington Bear came to live with me in London when I was two years old (many, many years ago). He was hand made by my Great Aunt and he has a chocolate coloured felt hat, the brim of which had to be pinned up by a safety pin to stop it getting in his eyes. The collar of his mackintosh is made of the same felt. He wears wellington boots made from the same red leather used to make the toggles on his mackintosh.

 

He has travelled with me across the world and he and I have had many adventures together over the years. He is a very precious member of my small family.

 

Scout was a gift to Paddy from my friend. He is a Fair Trade Bear hand knitted in Africa. His name comes from the shop my friend found him in: Scout House. He tells me that life was very different where he came from, and Paddy is helping introduce him to many new experiences. Scout catches on quickly, and has proven to be a cheeky, but very lovable member of our closely knit family.

 

Made by Merrythought in England, Emmett is a charming little bear, sweet and smiling, crafted from multi-tonal marl grey mohair and featuring golden velvet paws. He is accessorised with a classic tartan woollen scarf. He is number 23 or a limited worldwide edition of 200.

 

The Queen Elizabeth Platinum Jubilee Bear is also made by Merrythought in England, but was only available through the Danbury Mint charity. She’s hand-made from the finest soft blond mohair with a wonderful hand-stitched nose and sparkling blue eyes – just like Her Majesty. Her footpads are made from luxuriously soft cream velvet – one features the Queen’s royal cypher delicately embroidered in golden thread – and the other, of course, bears Merrythought’s iconic wishbone label finished with the proud boast, “Hand-made in England!” She wears a coat of deep violet, much favoured by Her Late Majesty, and a hat in the style worn by her in her later years. Pinned to her coat is a specially-commissioned brooch inspired by one from the Queen’s own collection – the Kent Amethyst Brooch. The original brooch, which formed part of a much larger jewellery set, was made in the early part of the Nineteenth century for the Duchess of Kent, who passed it on to her daughter, Queen Victoria, in 1861. In a similar style to the original brooch, the eye-catching hexagonal purple amethyst-coloured crystal centrepiece sits below diamond-white crystal encrusted scrollwork with rows of shimmering crystals beneath to create a shell-like shape. The Queen Elizabeth Platinum Jubilee Bear was issued in a strict limited edition. Not only was she made exclusively and only available from the Danbury Mint, but production ceased forever on the 2nd June 2023 ̶ the 70th anniversary of the Coronation.

Done