Retail fail: TK Maxx figurine of young royals goes viral

A UK department store is flogging this $110 figurine of Kate, Prince George and Princess Charlotte — and it’s the stuff of “nightmares”.

A pricey figurine of the Duchess of Cambridge and her two oldest children has gone viral after a horrified shopper described it as “arguably the worst thing” she had ever seen.

UK Twitter user Amelia Perrin spotted the 15cm figurine at bargain retail chain TK Maxx and promptly shared it on social media.

It features the Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George and Princess Charlotte and is modelled off the family’s 2015 Christmas card — although Prince William has bizarrely been left out.

Prince Louis is also absent, as the original family photo was taken well before his birth in 2018.

Ms Perrin shared photos of the artwork on Twitter, noting the hefty £60 ($A110) price tag.

“Sometimes TK Maxx out-TK Maxxes itself. £60. Arguably the worst thing I’ve ever laid eyes upon,” she wrote.

sometimes TK Maxx out-TK Maxxes itself. £60. arguably the worst thing i’ve ever laid eyes upon pic.twitter.com/5yjoyp4sWJ

— Cardi BTEC (@amelia_perrin) June 18, 2019

The piece was created by Royal Doulton, an up-market tableware and collectables brand.

And while some might baulk at its discounted TK Maxx price, it’s actually selling for a staggering $US300 ($A435) on the Royal Doulton website.

“Crafted in exquisite fine bone china, Royal Doulton figures are beautifully handmade and hand-decorated by skilled ceramic artists,” the website states.

“The fun-loving spirit and happy personalities of the royal family is portrayed in the figure, Young Royals.

“Sculptor Neil Welch has created this limited edition of 1000, inspired by a photograph of HRH the Duchess of Cambridge, playing in the garden with her children, their Royal Highnesses Prince George of Cambridge and Princess Charlotte of Cambridge.

The piece was inspired by the Cambridges’ 2015 Christmas snap. Picture: Reuters/Chris Jelf

“This moment in time taken at their family home at Kensington Palace, reflecting the informality of precious family time the three share.”

But predictably, Twitter users weren’t buying it, with most claiming the depiction of Princess Charlotte was particularly alarming.

“There are definitely souls trapped in those figurines,” one Twitter user quipped, while another added: “The detail is amazing. Really erm captured her … eyes?”

The piece is being sold for $US300 on the Royal Doulton website. Picture: Supplied

“I think this is a lovely image of Sporty Spice posing with Michael Gove and Mark Francois (to scale). Underpriced, if anything,” another wrote, while another simply said: “Ew! It’s so ugly.”

Royal Doulton also sells a range of other royal-inspired figurines, with the Queen, Prince William and Prince Charles also depicted.

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