Barbie, the fashion doll manufacturer by the American toy company Mattel, Inc., was launched in March 1959.
Since then, it has become more than just creating play toys, as it has also embodied inspiring women from Florence Nightingale to Helen Keller in the Barbie Tribute Collection.
This time, Barbie's collection added yet another character to the line, which celebrates “visionary individuals with an outstanding impact and legacy within society."
This time, it's Queen Elizabeth II.
To commemorate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, the U.S. toy manufacturer released a limited edition figure of Her Majesty. But ahead of Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee, the Barbie doll was already sold out.
All of them were gone in three seconds.
According to Mattel, Inc.:
Considered a collectors item, the doll's face has been sculpted to resemble the Queen and is "instantly recognisable," thanks to her well-known customary gown for royal portraits, which features an attached pink ribbon given to her by her father George VI and a pale blue sash from her grandfather George V.
The doll packaged in a Buckingham Palace inspired box, on sale for £95, only from British department store, John Lewis.
But Mattel, Inc. didn't expect the demand to be so high.
With all of the dolls gone from John Lewis store, online marketers and resellers are looking forward to make quick profit.
As seen in various listings on eBay, for example, a number of people are seen trying to sell the limited edition royal memorabilia with prices as high as $1,000.
Because Mattel, Inc. only made 20,000 dolls, prices can skyrocket whenever the demand is high.
But since the doll was created to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, the fact that the doll has been sold out, Mattel had to create more dolls and have them released prior to the event.
The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is a celebration spanning from June 2 until June 5, meant to not only mark the 96th birthday of Britain’s monarch, but to also honor her duty as the Queen of England, who has become the first British royal to serve 70 years on the throne.
The Queen has dedicated herself to service and duty and seen the world change immeasurably.
Since 1952, when she came to the throne, women were not encouraged to work and politicians expressed doubts about a young female monarch. Things have changed since then.
Queen Elizabeth II has proved that she can be an adept leader and a diplomat.
As the longest reigning British monarch, Queen Elizabeth is the first to have ever reached a Platinum Jubilee milestone.
And the weekend is to give an opportunity for communities throughout the UK to come together to celebrate this historic milestone.
