The sketch writer charged with giving comedy lines to the Queen has revealed the late monarch had a natural love of acting - and brilliant comic timing.
Frank Cottrell Boyce appeared on BBC Breakfast from his home in Liverpool this morning to pay tribute to the late Queen, who died at Balmoral yesterday afternoon at the age of 96.
The comic writer co-wrote both the 2012 Olympics opening ceremony, which saw the Queen apparently on a secret mission with then Bond actor Daniel Craig, and this year's Paddington Bear sketch, in which the Monarch and Michael Bond's marmalade-sandwich munching character shared afternoon tea to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee.
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Cottrell Boyce described how the Paddington scene, a highlight of the 70-year celebration of the Queen's extraordinary reign in June, brought out the best in her.
He said: 'She's absolutely glowing in that moment. And you've got to remember that that's real acting that's going on there. Paddington isn't really in the room.
'She's acting with an eye-line and with someone pretending to be Paddington. That's proper acting going on. But I also think it's true happiness.'
He elaborated: 'That's technically an amazing performance, actually. It's a brilliantly timed comic performance.'
The Queen had delighted millions of viewers after appearing in the comic sketch with the bear to kick-start the Party in The Palace Jubilee Concert on Saturday, June 4.
The much loved British institutions tapped out the beat of Queen's We Will Rock You anthem together on china teacups using silver spoons as a unique way of getting the celebrations under way.
The sketch, which the Queen spent half a day filming, was hailed by Britons as better than her Olympic opening show cameo with James Bond.
Moments after the news broke on Thursday that Her Majesty had died at the age of 96, Paddington joined millions of others in paying tribute.
The bear said in a simple, yet heartfelt message: 'Thank you Ma'am, for everything.'