Latest news with #Merrythought
Sky News AU
12-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
'Strictly intended for adults': King Charles III launches teddy bear version of himself - and you'll never believe how much it costs
King Charles III is now selling a teddy bear version of himself - aimed at mature-aged buyers only. On Monday, the 76-year-old monarch launched the HM King Charles III limited-edition teddy bear through his Highgrove House and Gardens gift shop, with a staggering price tag of £269 (AUD $554.57). Crafted in England by Merrythought, the makers behind the iconic Paddington Bear, the regal keepsake is fashioned from "the finest silver-coloured mohair plush combined with soft cotton velvet for a luxurious feel", according to the Highgrove website. Its left paw is embroidered in gold with the King's official Royal Cypher, marking its "exclusive royal connection". The bear also features deep blue eyes, a hand-stitched smile and what the shop describes as "a wise and regal expression that reflects the character of the reigning monarch". Dressed in the authentic Royal Victorian Order Sash, complete with Italian gold tassels, the bear also "proudly displays" a detailed enamel and gold-plated replica of the Order of the Garter star, the UK's oldest and most prestigious order of chivalry, worn by Charles during major royal events, including his 2023 coronation. "This limited-edition collectible teddy bear honours King Charles III's roles as monarch and as a dedicated serviceman of the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy," Highgrove House said. Only 1,948 bears will be made, each with its own Certificate of Authenticity and presented in a luxury gift box. The site warns the teddy is "strictly intended for adult collectors and is not a toy". The new royal toy could even rival the King's own lifelong attachment to a childhood teddy bear, which Prince Harry famously revealed in his 2023 bombshell memoir Spare. "Teddy went everywhere with Pa," Harry recalled, describing it as a "pitiful object" with broken arms, dangling threads and patched holes. "Teddy expressed eloquently, better than Pa ever could, the essential loneliness of his childhood." Royal biographer Christopher Andersen also claimed in The King: The Life of Charles III that His Majesty still travels with his childhood bear, which is cared for by trusted valet Michael Fawcett and repaired by his former nanny, Mabel Anderson. "Every time that teddy needed to be repaired, you would think it was his own child having major surgery," Fawcett reportedly said. But His Majesty isn't the only royal with a soft spot for plush toys- his younger brother, Prince Andrew, is said to own a collection of 72 teddy bears. Former palace maid Charlotte Briggs told The Sun in 2022 she underwent "a day's training" to learn how to position them on his bed. "It was so odd. After all, he was a grown man who had served in the Falklands," she said of the now disgraced Prince. "But he absolutely loved the teddies and was very clear about how he wanted them arranged." Though Charles' plush counterpart has a hefty price tag, buyers can rest assured that their purchase will contribute to a worthy cause, as the sale of all Highgrove products supports the charitable work of The King's Foundation. Founded by His Majesty in 1990, when he was the Prince of Wales, the King's Foundation aims to help young people explore the world of work, inspire veterans into entrepreneurship, and work on environmental projects- a cause close to Charles' heart.
The Sun
11-08-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
King Charles launches teddy bear with eye-watering price tag
THE King has been turned into a teddy bear — but shoppers will need a king's ransom to be able to afford one. The royal gift is available for £269 at Charles's Highgrove House country pile in Gloucestershire. 2 Would-be buyers are told: 'Expertly crafted in England by the renowned Merrythought team, this exquisite royal teddy bear is made from the finest silver-coloured mohair plush combined with soft cotton velvet for a luxurious feel. The bear features 'deep blue eyes and a hand-stitched smile, capturing a wise and regal expression that reflects the character of the reigning monarch'. And the hard-sell continues: 'Its left paw is beautifully embroidered in gold thread with King Charles III 's official royal cypher, highlighting its exclusive royal connection. 'Draped in the authentic Royal Victorian Order Sash—crafted from official ribbon and accented with Italian gold tassels—the bear also proudly displays a detailed enamel and gold-plated replica of the prestigious Order of the Garter star, fastened with a gold-capped stud. 'The Order of the Garter Star symbolises the oldest and most esteemed British Order of Chivalry, worn by His Majesty at significant royal ceremonies, including the 2023 coronation. 'This limited-edition collectible teddy bear honours King Charles III's roles as monarch and as a dedicated serviceman of the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy.' But the thought of anyone cosying up to the cuddly Charles is given short shrift. It adds: 'This item is strictly intended for adult collectors and is not a toy.' King Charles visits luxury vegan chocolate shop in Scotland
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Vandal-hit rowing club names new boats after donors
A historic rowing club which last year suffered an act of vandalism, causing thousands of pounds' worth of damage, is celebrating a change in fortunes by officially naming its new boats. In February 2024, a boat at Ironbridge Rowing Club, based in Shropshire's Ironbridge Gorge, was torn from its racking and smashed on the floor. A fundraiser collected £5,000, with further donations and funding allowing the club to purchase three new vessels - which were christened on Sunday. "We had just a small amount of fizz poured over the bows - you definitely don't smash the bottle over them," said club chair Gail Thomas. "It was a fantastic day." The club used the money raised to buy a new lightweight double scull but also secured matched funding from the Rowing Foundation to buy two single sculls for use by lightweight junior members. Much of the money was raised by local residents and businesses, including Dale End Cafe, The Toy Box, The Butchers Bar and Merrythought Bears, which was reflected in the club's choice of names for the new boats. "The new double scull will be called The Gorge in recognition of all the people and businesses who donated to making the purchase happen," said Stewart Plant, the club captain. "At the same time, it is wonderful to recognise the support that Merrythought has given the club over the years by naming the first of our new cadet sculls Merrythought. The other single scull was named Sunnyside by the junior squad. "The yellow canvas not only makes the boat look like a sunny side up egg," explained Mr Plant, "but also after the area of Coalbrookdale known as Sunniside Avenue that used to look down on our former majestic neighbours, the Ironbridge power station." Founded in 1870, the club is known for running one of the oldest rowing races in the West Midlands, the Ironbridge Weekend Regatta, which this year will be held on the weekend of 28 and 29 June. Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Rowing club thankful for support after vandalism Repeated flooding puts our future at risk - rowers Full regatta returns for first time since pandemic Ironbridge Rowing Club The Rowing Foundation
