At a Buckingham Palace garden party, Prince William described Jellycat plush toys as the ‘currency’ for his children, highlighting their popularity among Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. This royal endorsement mirrors Jellycat’s cultural surge, with booming sales and a vibrant collector market reminiscent of the Beanie Babies craze.
Even royal children cannot resist the charming allure of Jellycat toys, as underscored by a recent revelation from Prince William. At a garden party held at Buckingham Palace, he referred to these adorable plushies as the “currency” for his family, clearly highlighting their significance to his children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
The event was marked by a touching interaction between the Prince and the family of the late Liz Hatton, an inspiring young campaigner and photographer who captured hearts with her fight against cancer. Mateo, Liz’s younger brother, presented William and Catherine with specially selected Jellycat toys: a ‘Tarte au citron’ for Catherine and a collector’s item called Pickled Onion for William. William expressed his delight, stating, “My children will love these; they are children’s currency.”
Jellycats are not just toys; they have permeated British culture, becoming popular with children and adults alike. Indeed, the toys have become a sensation on social media and have transformed the plush toy market. The surge in interest is reflected in current trends—the brand experienced a staggering 37% increase in revenue, reaching £200 million in 2023. This popularity resonates with the royal family, as Princess Charlotte is known to favour a Fuddlewuddle puppy from the same brand.
Jellycat’s success can also be attributed to its unique and quirky designs that appeal to all ages. From whimsical food items to fantastical creatures, the range offers something for everyone. This diversity has helped it carve a niche within the highly competitive children’s toy market, closely resembling the early 2000s phenomenon of Beanie Babies, which captivated collectors and children alike.
The emotional connection to these toys was further exemplified by Mateo, who shared that Liz loved Jellycats and would give them to people who made her happy. This sentiment highlights the importance of sentimental attachments, which many find comforting, as revealed by various fans who describe their Jellycats as sources of emotional support.
The escalating demand and distinct brand identity have created a vibrant resale market, reminiscent of past collectible crazes. Prices for rare Jellycat items often spike, attracting collectors willing to pay significant sums. For instance, listings for discontinued plushies have been seen in the thousands on sites like eBay, echoing the trends seen during the Beanie Babies boom.
An expert from a local toy store recently commented on this market phenomenon, noting that “Jellycat keeps supply really tight” and that zealous fans are often left scrambling to secure the latest releases. Meanwhile, the collective frenzy surrounding Jellycats illustrates not just a passing trend, but a robust community where shared passions and experiences abound.
Kate Middleton’s personal connection to Liz’s story further underlines the plushie’s role as more than a toy; it embodies joy and companionship during challenging times. Speaking about Liz’s creativity, Kate said, “She really made the most of everything,” making clear the impact Liz had on those around her.
The recent royal endorsement is likely to enhance Jellycat’s appeal even further; the brand is well positioned to sustain its trending status in coming years. The confluence of royal charm, social media, and emotional resonance marks Jellycats as enduring symbols of affection and comfort—a sentiment mirrored in Kate and William’s attentive relationship with the Hatton family. As we approach another summer season filled with garden parties, the allure of Jellycats continues to grow, weaving them into the fabric of both youthful joy and adult reminiscence.
Through their plush creations, Jellycat has successfully knitted itself into the narratives of families and royal engagements alike, ensuring the toys will remain a beloved fixture for generations to come.
Reference Map
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-14734613/Even-George-Louis-Charlotte-resist-Jellycat-William-reveals-popular-toy-childrens-currency.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/mother-and-baby/2020090996859/royal-children-favourite-teddies-princess-charlotte-archie-harrison/ – An article from HELLO! magazine highlighting the cherished cuddly toys of royal children, including Princess Charlotte’s ‘Fuddlewuddle Puppy’ by Jellycat. The piece discusses how these soft toys are beloved by the royal family and have become popular among the public, with Jellycat’s founder confirming the royal connection.
- https://www.goodto.com/family/family-news/the-most-in-demand-jellycat-toys-revealed-and-prince-george-charlotte-and-louis-are-huge-fans – A report from GoodtoKnow detailing the surge in popularity of Jellycat toys, with Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis being notable fans. The article mentions Kate Middleton’s acknowledgment of the toys and the increasing demand for specific Jellycat characters.
- https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/london-toy-company-poised-rival-beanie-babies-fans-like-princess-charlotte-kylie-jenner-1729869 – An article from International Business Times UK discussing Jellycat’s rise in popularity, drawing parallels to the Beanie Babies craze. It highlights the brand’s appeal to both children and adults, mentioning fans like Princess Charlotte and Kylie Jenner.
- https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/oct/06/i-have-to-have-one-of-those-plushie-super-fans-explain-the-appeal – A feature in The Guardian exploring the appeal of plushie super-fans, focusing on Jellycat’s popularity. The piece includes insights into the brand’s growth, with mentions of royal family members and other celebrities endorsing the toys.
- https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/jan/08/shoplifters-scams-and-supersoft-toys-how-the-jellycat-craze-inspired-a-wave – An article from The Guardian examining the impact of the Jellycat craze, including its influence on the royal family and the broader market. The piece discusses the brand’s growth and the challenges it faces due to its popularity.
- https://www.iveybusinessreview.ca/magazine/articles/jellycat-dior – An analysis from the Ivey Business Review discussing Jellycat’s potential expansion into the luxury market. The article explores how collaborations with high-end brands like Dior could position Jellycat as a premium product.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative includes a recent event where Prince William referred to Jellycat toys as ‘children’s currency’ during a garden party at Buckingham Palace. This specific interaction has not been reported elsewhere, suggesting originality. However, similar content about Jellycat’s popularity and royal connections has appeared in other outlets, indicating some recycled material. The earliest known publication date of similar content is October 1, 2024. ([ft.com](https://www.ft.com/content/7359b4eb-4790-4e39-a365-7825bc3b1ec6?utm_source=openai)) The inclusion of updated data, such as Jellycat’s £200 million revenue in 2023, may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. ([ft.com](https://www.ft.com/content/7359b4eb-4790-4e39-a365-7825bc3b1ec6?utm_source=openai))
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
The direct quote from Prince William, ‘My children will love these; they are children’s currency,’ appears to be original, as no identical matches were found online. This suggests the content is potentially exclusive. However, similar sentiments about Jellycat’s popularity among royal children have been reported elsewhere, indicating some reused content.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Daily Mail, a reputable UK newspaper. However, the Daily Mail has faced criticism for sensationalism and accuracy issues in the past, which may affect the reliability of this report.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about Jellycat’s popularity, including the £200 million revenue in 2023, align with other reputable sources. ([ft.com](https://www.ft.com/content/7359b4eb-4790-4e39-a365-7825bc3b1ec6?utm_source=openai)) The direct quote from Prince William adds credibility, as it has not been reported elsewhere. The tone and language used are consistent with typical royal communications, further supporting the plausibility of the narrative.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
While the narrative includes original content, such as the direct quote from Prince William, it also contains recycled material from previous reports about Jellycat’s popularity and royal connections. The source’s reliability is moderate due to the Daily Mail’s past issues with accuracy. The plausibility of the claims is high, supported by consistent information from other reputable sources. Therefore, the overall assessment is ‘OPEN’ with medium confidence.
