Kathrine Frich
Every parent knows the struggle of keeping up with the latest playground toy craze.
From trading cards to squishy figures, young children latch onto trends with fierce loyalty.
It turns out the royal family is absolutely no exception to the rule, and they are now cashing in on the hype.
A royal tea party
The official Royal Collection Trust shop just released a brand new range of soft toys. The items look exactly like the hugely popular Jellycat plushies.
They feature happy little faces and black eyes stitched directly onto everyday objects. Shoppers can now buy items from the new Tea at the Palace collection.
The royal lineup includes adorable items like a smiling cucumber sandwich, a teapot, and a slice of Battenberg cake.
According to PEOPLE the shop website, customers who buy three keyrings will receive a special package. The site notes the items will arrive in a beautifully designed afternoon tea gift box.
The playground currency
The British toy brand Jellycat has completely dominated the children’s market recently. According to the BBC, the London company actually doubled its profits in 2025.
King Charles has three young grandchildren who are massive fans of the smiling objects. Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis reportedly collect the popular plushies.
Prince William and Kate Middleton received a pair of the trendy toys during a Buckingham Palace garden party last May, according to People magazine.
“My children will love these,” William told the guests at the time. “They are children’s currency.”
A touching tribute
The Prince and Princess of Wales received those specific gifts from a very special family. Mateo Hatton handed the royal couple a plush lemon tart and a pickled onion.
Mateo is the younger brother of Liz Hatton. She was a talented teenage photographer who passed away from cancer in November 2024.
The late teenager loved handing the toys to people who brought her joy. Kate deeply appreciated the thoughtful gesture from the young boy.
“We talked about it. When I see the fish and chips Jellycat, I think of her,” Kate told the grieving family at the palace event.
Sources: People, BBC, Royal Collection Trust Shop
