Words by Tanya Small
Who ever said that soft toys are just for children? Our fluffy mascot, the Henry bear, isn’t just a cuddly companion for your little one – he’s an annual Christmas gift, a one-of-a-kind souvenir and a prized collectors’ item too. As we celebrate the 175th anniversary of Harrods, we invite you to acquaint yourself with one of our most treasured icons.
A British Tradition
There are few things as synonymous with Harrods as tea. So, when we reopened The Georgian, our historic afternoon tea destination from 1911, it seemed only appropriate that we crafted a special Harrods bear, too. With his sumptuous purple ribbon, our tearoom bear perfectly matches the restaurant’s glamorous interior. And, as a natural fan of scones and finger sandwiches, he’s the perfect mascot to represent one of our most esteemed traditions.
For our 175th year, we collaborated with some of the biggest names in the luxury industry. These special limited-edition teddies may be sold out, but they’ve left an indelible mark in Harrods bear history.
Charlotte Tilbury’s iconic plum and rose-gold combination has become indicative of Hollywood glamour – and this limited-edition Harrods bear is one of the most glamorous teddies we’ve ever laid eyes on.
Bulgari is renowned worldwide for its goldsmithing heritage and expertise, which is why this unique bear is accented with radiant gold on both its nose, paws and stylishly embossed ribbon.
With its statement scarf, this limited-edition bear unites two of the brand’s house codes: the Burberry Check and Daniel Lee’s statement Knight Blue hue.
Few colours are as instantly recognisable as Valentino Pink. That’s why this statement Harrods bear was rendered entirely in the Italian fashion powerhouse’s signature colour, with a logo-embroidered ribbon and paws to match.
Our traditional Henry bear reimagined to celebrate our milestone anniversary. In his green tweed jacket and luxurious gold satin bow, Henry is a celebration of the colours that have represented Harrods since its inception.
The Harrods bear is named Henry, after our founder Charles Henry Harrod. He’s quintessentially British and designed with intricate details that reference the storied history of Harrods – from our instantly recognisable green men to the archival patterns you’ll find across our emporium.
In 1906, the first Harrods bear appeared in a catalogue of magical toys. By 1921, the Harrods bear had attracted the attention of English writer A.A Milne, who purchased one for his son – and this same bear went on to inspire A.A Milne’s famous Winne-the-Pooh character.
Every year since 1986, we’ve introduced a new Christmas bear. Each one is named after a historical figure, department or activity associated with Harrods and is finished with gold embroidery on its paw to mark the year of its release. The first was Snowy, a bright white iteration clad in a red patterned scarf and hat. For 2023, we welcomed Ethan to our grand line-up of furry friends, who wears a knitted red jumper and Harrods hat. So much has evolved over our extraordinary 175-year history, but the enchantment of a Harrods bear remains. Reinvented year after year, he’s a symbol of nostalgia and a unique way of commemorating wonderful Christmases gone by. Discover some of the most popular Harrods annual bears below.
Annual Christmas Bear, ‘Hamish’
Annual Christmas Bear, ‘James’
Annual Christmas Bear, ‘Merlin’
Annual Christmas Bear, ‘Scott’
Annual Christmas Bear, ‘Giles’
Annual Christmas Bear, ‘William’
Annual Christmas Bear, ‘Thomas’
Annual Christmas Bear, ‘Benjamin’’
Annual Christmas Bear, ‘Bertie’
Annual Christmas Bear, ‘Ethan’
Annual Christmas Bear, ‘Noah’
