Stephen Fry has attended a star-studded service for Paddington Bear author Michael Bond at St Paul’s Cathedral.
A celebration of the writer’s life is taking place today, after he sadly died aged 91 in June this year.
Mr Bond, who penned more than 200 books, will be celebrated by his family and friends, with his daughter Karen Jankel also spotted arriving this morning.
Left, Michael Bond after recieving his OBE from the Queen in 2012 and right, Stephen Fry arrives at his commemoration service in St Paul’s Cathedral this morning
Stars of the Paddington movies, Hugh Bonneville, Madeleine Harris and Samuel Joslin, are set to attend.
Ms Jankel and family and executive publisher Ann-Janine Murtagh, will be leading the tributes.
The Reverend Canon Mark Oakley is believed to have told the congregation: ‘As we remember with fondness the characters that sprang from Michael’s imagination and recall their capacity for doing good, so let us give thanks for a bear called Paddington who fitted our world perfectly because he was different.’
As well as friends, family and colleagues attending the celebration of Bond’s life, seats have also been made available to members of the public.
Children’s authors as well as book illustrators, teachers, librarians and schoolchildren have been invited.
The memorial service will feature readings and music paying tribute to Bond, whose first book, A Bear Called Paddington, was published in 1958.
Left, Mr Bond’s daughter Karen Jankel (left) was also among those spotted attending the service as Padding 2 is screened across the country (right)
Stars of the Paddington movies are set to attend the moving service at St Paul’s today (pictured, a still from the recently released Paddington 2)
Bond also created characters such as Olga da Polga and A Mouse Called Thursday, along with a series of novels for adults featuring the detective Monsieur Pamplemousse.
Instead of floral tributes, donations are being given to Action Medical Research.
Bond was involved with the charity for more than 40 years, with Paddington its official mascot.