Queen Elizabeth II told Nicola Sturgeon she had no idea what was going on when she filmed iconic Paddington Bear sketch for Platinum Jubilee
The ex-First Minister has revealed details of meetings she had with the monarch in her newly released autobiography.
At Holyrood Palace, just after the 2022 concert to celebrate her 70 years on the throne, the Queen told Ms Sturgeon about shooting the video at Buckingham Palace.
During the skit, Paddington lifts his hat to reveal a marmalade sandwich – before the Queen says she keeps her own sandwich in her handbag.
Paddington then says: 'Happy Jubilee, Ma'am, and thank you for everything.'
In her book, Frankly, Ms Sturgeon said: 'We chatted about how much she had enjoyed it.
'She told me when she had filmed the Paddington sketch, she hadn't really known what it was all about. It was only when she later saw it on TV that it made sense.'
But the late Queen delighted millions of viewers in what became an iconic sketch.
The monarch and the famous bear - both much loved British institutions - tapped out the beat of the We Will Rock You anthem together on china teacups using silver spoons as a unique way of getting the celebrations under way.
The secretly-pre-recorded humorous sequence played at the start of the televised BBC's Platinum Party at the Palace. The unlikely duo set the rhythm for opening act Queen and Adam Lambert - who joined in on the main stage.
The Queen's clip was the result of months of planning, and saw the duffle-coat wearing bear show the late monarch how he ensured he always had his favourite treat on him just in case, lifting up his red hat to reveal his snack.
Her late Majesty responded by revealing 'So do I' before opening her bag and declaring 'I keep mine in here' to show her very own ready-made supply of the bread and orange preserve staple.
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