Royal Souvenirs have been undergoing a quiet transformation over the last decade. Granted, you can still buy plastic Windsor castles, “I heart” tees, and novelty fridge magnets on your travels to the UK, but options that circumvent tourist expectations are increasingly popping up.
The objects we’re quick to pass off as cheap, tacky, or trivial tat, are being reimagined as designers shift their focus to the real meaning behind souvenirs and how best to align them with the bigger themes of contemporary consumer culture, such as authenticity, locality, sustainability, modernity and quality.
Funnily enough, merchandise for Harry and Meghan’s big day is far from exempt. And with all the media frenzy surrounding this young, glamorous, and less-conventional Royal couple, it’s no surprise that many of the mementos available today are modern, humorous, and far from the norm.
Though the usual knick knacks are still in production, here are the best and the worst we’ve found.