PRINCE Andrew’s collection of teddy bears may seem very strange to many – but it turns out he is not alone in keeping childhood cuddlies into adulthood.
We revealed on yesterday’s front page how the embattled Duke of York gave Windsor Castle flunkies strict orders for how to arrange his DOZENS of soft toys on his bed.
Former royal cop Paul Page told how Andrew would be furious if housekeepers at his private apartment laid them out wrongly.
On ITV documentary Ghislaine, Prince Andrew And The Paedophile last night, he said of Andrew’s bed: “It had about 50 or 60 stuffed toys positioned and there was a card in a drawer. It was a picture of these bears all in situ. The reason for the laminated picture was that if those bears weren’t put back in the right order by the maids, he would shout and scream.”
But embarrassing as this revelation may be for Andrew as he faces a sex-abuse lawsuit, 44 per cent of adults STILL snuggle up to baby toys. Although few would have a fit if they were put slightly ear about paw.
With the help of psychologist Jo Hemmings, we match toys to personality types and hear from readers, and celebs, who still sleep with theirs.
Student Rhys White
RHYS is proud to show off best buddy Tigger – still with plenty of bounce, though very worn – having travelled the world with the Hereford lad.
The 23-year-old says: “It’s hard for me to find a picture from my childhood without Tigger in it. Mum was constantly washing and mending him.
“He has been with me everywhere, from Canada to Hawaii, and met the real-life Tigger at Disneyland. I even had a toy passport for him.
“Holding him brings back memories. As kids, we found it soothing. That never goes. Tigger is cool and any girlfriend I have has to love him too. Anyone who thinks it’s uncool to have an old childhood toy is missing out.”
Jo & Richard Bellington
MUSICIAN Joanne and husband Richard, a coffee machine engineer, share a bedroom with her stuffed toy Doggy and also his, Huggy.
Mum Joanne, 49, says: “When I first met Huggy I was jealous. Who can compete with a childhood toy? Richard does get huffy over Doggy. Tthere are times I deny him a cuddle in favour of Doggy.
“And bedroom fun has to wait until I have had my destress time with Doggy. When it’s date night, the toys cover their eyes with their paws.”
Richard, 40, says: “I thought Joanne would think it odd for a man to have a childhood toy. Then when I saw her bedroom, I knew I’d have to marry her because she had Doggy.”
Builder Phil Avery
PHIL does not mind being ribbed about his ted, Winston. The dad of three and stepdad of four has been attached to the treasured toy since the age of three.
The 51-year-old builder, from Falmouth, Cornwall, says: “He has been a faithful companion – getting into as many scrapes as me. I’ve sewn him up twice.
“He has been dragged through mud, covered in food, dunked in the toilet, ended up in the sea while fishing and covered in sawdust from a building job. He has seen it all. I don’t let my kids or step-grandchildren play with him.
“My missus thinks it’s hilarious. But Winston is as important to me as football, beer, building and fishing.”
Giant Ted: LOYAL
YOU know the kind – those huge teddies everyone tried to win at the fair. If you own one, you have a kind and generous nature.
You are not afraid to show emotion and you make a loyal friend. Your open heart and listening skills attract others.
Mini Ted: ATTACHED
LITTLE teddies remind us of our childhood. They are big enough to remind you of your own much-loved cuddly toy but not so big they take over your bedroom.
It may have been a romantic gift and often holds special memories for us.
Old Ted: NOSTALGIC
THE most loved of all. Cuddled to within an inch of its threadbare life, this will have been your main comforter as an infant – soothing you when an adult was not there.
These “transitional objects” remind us of happy times.
Pristine Ted: ORDERED
YOU are smart and organised. A pristine teddy is the Marie Kondo of the teddy world.
He may have been loved but he has not been played with much. You may have been loved as a child, but it was not that demonstrative.
Cuddly rabbit: LOVING
RABBITS are almost as popular as teddies as we will have been familiar with pictures of them – or seeing real ones – from a very early age.
They show a soft and nurturing personality, someone with a lot of love to give.
Heart Ted: ROMANTIC
YOU yearn for more romance – or already have it and put it proudly on display.
It is likely to be something given to you by a child, lover or partner. If you bought it yourself you might feel some love is missing in your life.
Outfit Ted: IMMATURE
DRESSING up a teddy is definitely the province of children – or grown-ups who are not quite ready to take on adult responsibility.
If you are dressing your teddy up in a variety of outfits, that might be related to your own self-esteem issues.
Cartoon toy: SAFE
WE all loved cartoons as kids. Having a cartoon character as a toy resonates with memories of watching that TV show and the associated time of your life.
If they are on your bed, it might indicate this is a part of your life you still miss.
Elephant: INSECURE
WITH their giant ears and long trunk, they show a great sense of humour and a unique approach to life.
You are more likely to be a leader than a follower and are creative. Lots of large toy animals implies you have body image issues.
Hippo: INDEPENDENT
LIKE a stuffed elephant, a hippo is not an obvious first choice. That is their appeal to the more independent minded.
They make the perfect gift as a quirky alternative, especially a grey, gender-fluid one. Pink channels a feminine side.
Panther: HEDONISTIC
ONE of the sexiest of cuddly toys, it says a lot about you, especially if it is large and sleek and lying on your bed.
Channelling your inner tiger or tigress, it is a statement toy. If it looks more like a little black cat than a panther, it might imply sexual issues.
Blanket: CHILDISH
THERE are throw-type blankets of course, which do not have much sentimental value but blend with bedroom decor.
There are blankets we once used as precious comforters as babies. Better to put it and its memories under the bed, not on it.
