We are deeply saddened by the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The UK’s longest-serving monarch, died at Balmoral aged 96, after reigning for an incredible 70 years. Like many others, That’s mine owners, Paul and Elaine, and the rest of the That’s mine team, felt a special connection to the Queen and wanted to share that our deepest sympathies are with the Royal Family. Even in this mournful time, it’s been wonderful to see countless tributes to Her Majesty The Queen from millions around the globe. Many people are sharing their own touching, personal anecdotes; and we wanted to share ours.
Saying our goodbyes to Her Majesty The Queen
Elaine’s journey to London
Our founder and co-owner, Elaine, travelled down to London for 24 hours this week. To spend all night on the mall, paying her respects to Queen Elizabeth II, the following day. Elaine had created a ‘Thank you’ teddy bear for the journey, and Elaine started her 24 hour trip with just an umbrella and a camping chair, with ted in tow.
Arriving at the mall at 10pm Tuesday night, the mall was extremely quiet and peaceful; with only a few people also setting up camp to stay the night. As Elaine wandered, she met a lady called Jane, and they decided to keep each other company all night. Hilary and Helen also arrived, creating a small group of women from all walks of life. They were brought together to pay their respects to the Queen for a final time.
Throughout the night, Elaine strolled around and up to the palace, noticing tiny Paddington Bears placed everywhere! She sat for a while alone outside the palace, listening to the birdsong coming from St James’s Park. Her and Ted accompanied the Queen till the early morning.
The following day
Around 6am on the day of the procession, lots more people started to arrive to find their place to watch. Teddy went on a walk, meeting lots of new people, taking lots of photographs with everyone! Elaine also met Kim and Victoria, and Nicky and Dave; more wonderful people who were brought together by this event. The new friends got on so well from the minute they all met. Team Ted was formed! They passed the hours by sharing memories and stories of seeing the Queen over the years; and Elaine felt a remarkable connection with the whole group. Team Ted were from all different walks of life, different places, but they came together for the Queen.
We had a common bond. We made friends and memories that will last forever. The Queen has brought us all together and I think she would be so pleased.
Elaine, That’s mine founder and co-owner
Ted was loved by all the team, and many others that Elaine met, with lots of people asking for pictures holding the bear. Elaine wanted to send her new friends their own Ted to honour the group and the day. Therefore, each new friend received their own Queen Elizabeth II remembrance bear.
Ted arrived this morning and immediately went out for the day to Sandringham and Walcott Beach. Thank you so much for sending Ted as a reminder of our day we spent together.
Nicky from Team Ted
Queen Elizabeth II remembrance bear limited edition
As a ‘thank you’ to the Queen’s lifetime of service, selfless devotion and being a remarkable and inspirational woman, Elaine took with her one of our Jubilee teddy bears, with an additional embroidery of ‘1926-2022 Thank You’. After a very emotional time on The Mall, Elaine took the teddy bear and laid it with the flowers in Green Park.
LIMITED EDITION
LIMITED EDITION
Team Ted, along with lots of other people she met that day, all asked, ‘Where did you get the bear from?’ With so many people asking about the teddy bear, we have decided, as a mark of respect and remembrance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, to produce a limited edition of 70 teddy bears. This collectable teddy will come with a ‘limited edition’ tag. The jumper, exclusively made for That’s mine, is embroidered in royal purple with the official Platinum Jubilee emblem, the date 1926 – 2022 and a simple ‘Thank you’ message.
If you would like your own remembrance bear, please find here a choice between small and large.
Watching the procession
The ceremonial procession transported the coffin of Her Majesty The Queen from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall in the Houses of Parliament, where the Lying-in-State will began. The King, the Prince of Wales and Prince Harry among other senior royals followed the Queen’s coffin from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall. Elaine watched this very special emotional moment, after spending all night outside Buckingham Palace. She was able to pay her respects to Her Majesty in one of her last moments.
How the Queen has supported us
We also wanted to share some memories of how the Queen has supported us over the years, and some of our special connections we have.
Joanne, our fabulous packing/styling member of the That’s mine team, shares how her mother had received an MBE from the Queen back in 2004, for her service to the Chorley Victim Support and witness support teams.
Elaine’s Dad, Allen, received Maundy Money on Maundy Thursday in 2016, and visited Windsor Castle with his wife and Elaine’s mum, Edith. Specially minted silver coins, distributed by the British sovereign on Maundy Thursday. It refers to the coins given to elderly people by the monarch in a ceremony that drew inspiration from Jesus Christ and the commandment he gave after washing the disciples feet.
Additionally, the Jubilee Bear, which Elaine created this year, was sent to Her Majesty with a letter enclosed. The Queen’s Lady-in-Waiting sent a wonderful letter back sharing the Queen’s thanks.
That’s mine’s thank you to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
After 24 hours spent in London, Elaine left with Ted, saying goodbyes to her new friends; leaving her umbrella and chair behind. The team felt such a bond with each other they all vowed to meet again in the same place, at King Charles’ coronation.
On behalf of everyone at That’s mine, we extend our deepest sympathies to the Royal Family at this time. Her Majesty ruled with compassion and dedication, and will be dearly missed by millions. Her legacy will live on for many years to come and we thank the Queen for her service.
1926 – 2022
