5 royal teddy bears to gift your little Prince or Princess

It’s fair to say that a teddy bear is about as classic a gift for a newborn or child as they come, hitting the marks as something thoughtful, and a keepsake.

And in a world where interactive toys, kid-friendly tablets and learning screens are par for the course, the good old teddy bear still reigns as a solid, well-received gift that a child will love for years to come. Since we’re royal-fans, we thought one of the cutest gifts you could give a little prince or princess, or rather King and Queen, would be a royal teddy bear, a cuddly little thing with a crown or royal-inspired design, be it a Beefeater, a ted with a tiara or one that is giving all the regal feels.

History of the teddy bear

The teddy bear was introduced to the American market in 1902; after President Theodore Roosevelt refused to shoot a bear on a hunting trip, a political cartoonist immortalised the incident in ‘Drawing the Line in Mississippi’, featured in The Washington Post. The moment stuck a chord with Americans, and toy-maker Morris Michtom, with the president’s position, sewed a cuddly stuffed toy and called it ‘Teddy’s Bear’.

That same year, Richard Steiff designs the ‘Bear 55 PB’, the world’s first plush bear with movable arms and legs. Richard presents his bear at the Leipzig Toy Fair, resulting in an American dealer ordering 3,000 of the toys, and the Steiff bear becomes a sales success in the USA.

Teddy bears became a hit, with the cute toy being offered as prizes at fairs, women’s magazines featuring sewing patterns to make their own, books featuring teddies and the 1907 silent movie, The Teddy Bears, cemented their place in history.

Sources: National Park Service, The Strong National Museum of Play, Steiff

Whether it’s for a newborn or `birthday gift, the HELLO! shopping team have found the best royal teddy bears to shop. Although I haven’t tested all of the toys, I have taken a range of points into consideration to bring you some of the best plus, as a mum to a four-year-old daughter, I'm well-versed in the world of teddies.

How we chose the best royal teddy bears

Keep scrolling to shop royal teddy bears…

Etsy Personalised Royal Teddy Bear
Size: 30cm
Details: Four print colours to choose from, can be personalised with name of recipient
Editors note: I think this would be great for a newborn, with the personalisation option giving it a really sweet touch. The subtle crown motif is just enough to give a royal nod.
£13.72 at Etsy
Merrythought Royal Beefeater Teddy Bear
Size: 30cm
Details: Dressed in a traditional Beefeater uniform and created from soft felt and wool.
Editor's note: This is a classic, beautiful bear that will make a great keepsake. The brand is a well-known teddy bear creator, so the quality will be top notch.
London Embroidered Royal Teddy Bear
Size: 15cm
Details: An affordable teddy with embroidered details on paws.
Editor's note: I love how small and cute this teddy is, but shoppers have commented that it is even smaller than expected - might not be one for smaller children.
£10.53 at Amazon
Etsy Royal Teddy Bear
Size: 20cm
Details: Created for the royal coronation, this bear features a cuddly knit with crown emblazoned on the front and King Charles' on the back.
Editor's note: I'm very into this cute cuddly bear, with his knitted jumper and beaded detailing. The jumper is handmade, and there's even a secret pocket - with a King Charles 50p coin in. Sweet! I'd not gift this to younger children, and would say it's suitable for kids over three.
£25 at Etsy
Etsy Royal Beefeater Teddy Bear
Size: 15cm or 19cm
Details: Made from polyester, with a linen fur uniform and Union Jack embroidered on the paw. Recommended for children three years and up.
Editor's note: How adorable is this mini Beefeater? Available in two sizes, the uniform looks smart but soft and he does have a cute little face! I think this would be a lovely little gift for a child who's interested in the royals and palaces.
£13.99 at Etsy