Mourners are leaving marmalade sandwiches for the Queen, royal officials respond

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By stefan armitage

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As a way of paying tribute to the late queen, people are leaving marmalade sandwiches among the floral tributes at Buckingham Palace.

On Thursday, the UK entered an official period of national mourning following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

The longest-reigning monarch in the nation's history sadly passed away at the age of 96 at her Balmoral royal estate in Scotland.

With the monarch's death affecting many people up and down the UK, mourners have taken to her places of residence - such as Balmoral and Buckingham palace - to lay flowers and cards as a means of paying tribute to the late queen.

However, in celebration of one of the Queen's final viral moments, some mourners are also leaving a rather unexpected item: Marmalade sandwiches.

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Credit: PA Images / Alamy

During Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations back in June, the late monarch appeared in a sketch alongside beloved children's character and fictional UK icon, Paddington Bear.

During the sketch, Paddington revealed over an afternoon tea that he always keeps a marmalade sandwich "for emergencies" under his trademark hat. To which, Her Majesty says that she does the same - but chooses to keep her marmalade sandwich in her handbag.

"For later," the late queen tells the bear.

At the end of the sketch, Paddington tells the Queen: "Happy Jubilee Ma'am. And thank you, for everything."

As of this writing, the sketch has amassed more than 9.4 million views on the Royal Family's YouTube channel, and the segment clearly tugged at the heartstrings of the nation, because photos have shown that people are leaving marmalade sandwiches among the floral tributes at Buckingham Palace and Balmoral.

One photo shared to Twitter shows a sandwich left at Buckingham Palace, with "For later! xxx" written on the sandwich bag.

Another shows a sandwich left at Balmoral, with the words "A marmalade sandwich for your journey, ma'am" written on the ziplock bag.

However, Sky News reports that officials from The Royal Parks are urging mourners to only leave flowers and cards as a tribute, and not items such as teddy bears, lit candles, balloons, or sandwiches in plastic bags.

"In the interests of sustainability, we ask visitors to only lay organic or compostable material," the charity said on its website.

Sky News adds that volunteers have been seen going through the floral tributes and removing any plastic wrapping that would otherwise interfere with the composting process.

Featured image credit: PA Images / Alamy