U.K. is marking Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee with parties, parades — and merch
U.K. is marking Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee with parties, parades — and merch
Britain's celebration of Queen Elizabeth's 70 years on the throne now spans four days, a parade with 1,400 troops, a concert with Duran Duran, more than 16,000 street parties and a lot of merchandise.
MARY LOUISE KELLY, HOST:
Today is the second of four days which the United Kingdom has reserved to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II and her 70 years on the throne - in other words, the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
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AILSA CHANG, HOST:
There have already been parades and ceremonies, thousands of street parties are expected, and all of that has generated lots and lots of merchandise.
MAXIMILIAN SOMERSET: It was actually bespoke, made for me.
FRANK LANGFITT, BYLINE: How long ago did you get it?
SOMERSET: Oh, about three or four months ago. I got it specially for the occasion.
KELLY: Our London correspondent Frank Langfitt found Maximilian Somerset (ph) in a custom-made U.K. flag suit - with a color-changing waistcoat, obviously.
SOMERSET: I can change it red, white and blue, or the entire spectrum of the union jack.
CHANG: Anita Rider was also in the crowd, wearing a giant hair bow.
ANITA RIDER: And it's an absolutely gigantic, massive...
UNIDENTIFIED PERSON: Union jack bow (laughter).
RIDER: ...Union jack bow - put Betty Boop's to shame. And my sister-in-law bought them from...
UNIDENTIFIED PERSON: ...The internet.
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KELLY: Yeah. You can find a lot of Jubilee souvenirs online, ranging from a $2,500 music box to $50 leggings emblazoned with corgis.
CHANG: That's right. The queen's love for corgi dogs has inspired so much corgi merch, like corgi biscuits, corgi mousse cake, corgi pillows, corgi tea towels.
KELLY: Now, if corgis somehow are not your thing, there is also a limited-edition Queen Elizabeth II Barbie doll - if you can find it. It sold out within 3 seconds, according to British retailer John Lewis. Now, it's available on eBay for 300 bucks.
ANNE MIDDLETON: I'm from Wales, I'm from Cardiff - so anything with either a union jack or a dragon, and I've been buying it, so - we all have.
CHANG: Our London producer spoke to Anne Middleton, who has been snatching up memorabilia and has also sourced a Jubilee outfit, from a bespoke dress down to her nails.
MIDDLETON: That was hand-painted - a crown - by one of my - my hairdresser. I thought they did a brilliant job.
KELLY: The Platinum Jubilee continues through Sunday, and plenty more themed merchandise will change hands - and nails - through then.
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