Steiff Teddy Bear Recreates Queen Elizabeth's Iconic Paddington Moment for Centenary
A cherished moment from the late Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations has been lovingly recreated with toys, heralding the launch of a special Steiff teddy bear to mark what would have been her 100th birthday on 21 April. The scene, staged at Newby Hall, mirrors the 2022 comedy sketch where the Queen shared tea with a digitally animated Paddington Bear, famously revealing her penchant for keeping marmalade sandwiches in her handbag.
Limited-Edition Commemorative Bear
The limited-edition bear will be released on 21 April to commemorate the centenary of Queen Elizabeth's birth. For the recreation, a soft toy Paddington was positioned enjoying tea with the special edition Queen Elizabeth II Steiff teddy bear, which wears one of the late Queen's most recognisable ensembles: a lime green coat with a matching hat, complete with a pearl necklace and handbag.
Ian Munro, Steiff's director of international sales, expressed the significance of this tribute, stating, "What Her Majesty stood for in the last 100 years was really, as she said herself, dedication and pride, and service, and I think she has a very special place in all of our hearts. All of us at Steiff, together with our key partner, Galerista, wanted to celebrate this event where we're launching a superb collectible, limited edition-style teddy bear."
Exclusive Details and Pricing
The commemorative bears are limited to just 4,996 pieces, a nod to the late Queen's 96 years of life. Each bear is priced at £289, individually numbered, and presented in a souvenir bag, featuring coloured embroidery on the soles of their feet to mark the centenary of her birth. This meticulous design underscores the bear's status as a premium collectible.
Cultural Impact and Historical Context
Mr Munro described the original encounter between Paddington and the late Queen as "one of the most cherished moments" and "one of the greatest secrets" in British life. The sketch resonated deeply with the public, leading mourners to leave piles of Paddington cuddly toys and marmalade sandwiches outside Buckingham Palace following the late Queen's passing in 2022.
Founded in the German city of Giengen in 1880 by Margarete Steiff, the Steiff company is credited with inventing the first teddy bear. It has a long history of creating special edition bears for significant events, including the millennium and the sinking of the Titanic, making this release part of a storied tradition of commemorative craftsmanship.
