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175 Years of Harrods: Meet the Harrods Bears
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.
The Anniversary Editions
We’ve also collaborated with some of the biggest names in the industry to create a limited-edition collection of Harrods bears. So far, we’ve released a Burberry bear wrapped in a blue checked scarf and a showstopping Valentino Pink iteration. Didn’t manage to get your hands on one? Stay tuned, as there are even more bears still to come.
A Teddy as Old as Time
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.
The Annual Christmas Bears
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.
Harrods Stories
Bringing you a weekly dose of everything from expert styling tips to dinner party solutions – at Harrods, it’s all about living your best life.
Read & ShopCelebrating 175 Years with Beauty Items You Can’t Miss
These are no ordinary exclusives – we’ve collaborated with some of our favourite brands to create a host of one-of-a-kind anniversary-edition products, dropping throughout the year.
Read & Shop