Artist's Viral Queen & Paddington Sketch Still Stealing Hearts Years Later!

Eleanor Tomlinson, an artist from East Yorkshire, became widely known in 2022 when her drawing of Queen Elizabeth II and Paddington Bear went viral during the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations. The artwork shows the Queen from behind, dressed in a green coat and hat, holding hands with Paddington Bear, who is wearing his classic blue coat, red hat, and red boots, and carrying a brown suitcase. A corgi, the Queen's favorite dog breed, walks beside them, decorated with red, white, and blue bunting. The drawing is set on a white piece of paper, surrounded by art supplies like paints and brushes.

Tomlinson never expected her sketch to become so famous. She described the experience as 'surreal' and said she feels honored that her work has become a small part of British popular culture. She recently appeared on a special episode of BBC One's Antiques Roadshow, which was filmed at Windsor Castle to mark what would have been the Queen's 100th birthday. During her interview, Tomlinson reflected on how her artwork touched so many people and was shared widely during the Platinum Jubilee, a celebration of the Queen's 70 years on the throne.

The artist explained that when she first created the drawing, she thought it was just a small project. She was amazed that people are still talking about it more than three years later. After her sketch went viral, Tomlinson sent a print of a corgi wearing a crown to the Queen, along with a letter. Her work has also appeared on the cover of the TV Times for Easter. Tomlinson shared that she kept her Antiques Roadshow appearance a secret until the last minute, as the filming had to be approved by official channels, including the palace. She described the experience as stressful but ultimately rewarding. Now, she is preparing to launch a new piece of artwork to commemorate what would have been the Queen's 100th birthday. Tomlinson is grateful that her art continues to bring joy and memories of the late Queen to people across the country.