Hasbro to launch Princess Di dolls
Toymaker Hasbro is planning to launch a Diana, Princess of Wales, doll. The doll is part of a series of branded Diana toys and games.
The news is sure to fuel controversy unleashed at the weekend by the revelation that the Diana signature will appear on tubs of Flora margarine and that the RAC is planning to use the death of Diana in a proposed road safety campaign encouraging people to wear seat belts.
A global launch of the doll could coincide with the first anniversary of Diana’s death but Hasbro is understood to be planning to get the dolls into shops as soon as it can get final agreement from the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Fund.
The company is understood to be discussing additional Diana products and, according to sources, ideas such as jigsaws and even a Trivial Pursuit-style board game have been floated.
“You only have to look at Sindy (the Hasbro doll) and how easy it would be to switch the head for a Diana head,” says one source.
“Barbie dominates and Mattel will be very angry at having missed out on this deal. Hasbro does not want to waste any time. as soon as it gets the green light from the Fund it will start production.”
It is understood that the Fund has met Hasbro to discuss the agreement. A spokeswoman for Hasbro says she will neither confirm nor deny that the project is going ahead. A spokeswoman for the Fund says she is unaware of any talks.
