Paddington Bear gets a British passport

Paddington Bear, the beloved character known for his blue duffle coat and red hat, has officially received a British passport. This event comes 66 years after he was first said to have arrived in London. However, it is important to note that this passport will not allow him to travel anywhere. The filmmakers behind the Paddington movies requested a passport for the bear to use as a prop in their upcoming film, 'Paddington in Peru. ' Rob Silva, one of the co-producers, mentioned that they had initially asked for a replica passport, but instead, they were given an official one. The Home Office confirmed to the BBC that this passport is merely a specimen document and cannot be used for actual travel. Silva humorously remarked, 'You wouldn’t think the Home Office would have a sense of humour, but under official observations, they've just listed him as Bear. ' nnPaddington Bear was created in 1958 by author Michael Bond, who drew inspiration from his childhood experiences during World War Two. He recalled the memories of children being evacuated from London, often wearing labels around their necks and carrying their belongings in suitcases. This poignant memory became a part of Paddington's story. Bond explained, 'Paddington Bear was a refugee with a label - 'Please look after this bear. Thank you,' and he had a little suitcase. ' In the story, Paddington arrives in London as a stowaway on a boat from South America and is discovered by the Brown family at Paddington Station, which is how he got his name. nnThe Paddington film series, based on Bond's beloved books, has been a tremendous success. The character of Paddington is voiced by actor Ben Whishaw in the films. The third installment, 'Paddington in Peru,' is set to be released in November, and fans are eagerly anticipating its arrival. Additionally, Paddington Bear made headlines when he famously had tea with the late Queen Elizabeth II during the celebrations for her Platinum Jubilee. This delightful meeting further solidified Paddington's status as a cherished figure in British culture. Paddington Bear continues to capture the hearts of audiences around the world, reminding us of the importance of kindness and friendship.