Queen Elizabeth’s ‘beady eye’ reaction to quirky Rupert Bear theory

The late Queen Elizabeth II is fondly remembered for her remarkable longevity, tireless dedication to duty, and her sharp wit. Her zest for life and love of making humorous, off-the-cuff remarks have led to many entertaining stories about her long life.

Anopther such anecdote has been shared by former MP and popular TV presenter Gyles Brandreth who in a new interview with OK! recalled his favourite encounter with the late monarch, which led to a discussion about an iconic little bear. “My favourite memory of the late Queen has to be the time I had a funny time chatting to her about teddy bears,” Gyles says with a chuckle.

“I knew she loved Paddington Bear. Of course, we all know that. And she was born in the same year that Michael Bond (author of the Paddington Bear books) was born. So we talked about Paddington Bear, we talked about Winnie the Pooh – and then we talked about Rupert Bear. The Queen told me that she had the Rupert Bear Annuals when she was growing up – and that Prince Charles, now King Charles, also liked Rupert.”

Seizing his opportunity to make the Queen laugh, Gyles continued: “But I then said to her, ‘Ah, now, did you know, Your Majesty, that some people think Rupert Bear isn’t a bear at all? ‘ She looked quite concerned. I said, ‘No. No, There are people who think that Rupert is actually a boy with a bear’s head’.”

Gyles, who spoke to the magazine about his new partnership with Specsavers, which has launched the ‘Misheard Manifesto’ campaign to correct common misheard phrases, continued: “If you think of the pictures, it makes sense because Rupert has got fingers, he’s got hands and he’s wearing shoes. I said, Rupert is not a bear. Rupert is a boy with a bear’s head. And she looked at me with a beady eye and said, ‘There are some things in life. I think it’s better not to know!'”

Brandreth, who shares a close bond with several members of the Royal Family, particularly Queen Camilla due to their mutual involvement in literature-based charities, also penned a book on Queen Elizabeth II’s life. In his 2022 publication, one of the most talked-about revelations was about the Queen’s secret health struggles. Despite her official cause of death being listed as old age, Brandreth claimed that the monarch suffered from a rare form of bone cancer, myeloma.