Barbie doll sells out on eBay for £95

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Barbie doll sells out on eBay for £95

The combination was sure to be hot property now a special platinum jubilee doll has sold out and has become the subject of fierce bidding on eBay.

John Lewis said its stock of the 95 doll sold out in three seconds, and most eBay sellers are hoping to sell the sought-after collectible for at least double that.

The toy is the latest product of a lucrative royal memorabilia industry that spans everything from fine china to teddy bears, tea towels to fridge magnets, and cranks into action around big royal events like jubilees and weddings.

In recent years, Barbie, who has also had a long reign and is now in her early 60s, has tried to prove she is more than a fashion plate, with a side hustle in inspiring women such as Maya Angelou, Helen Keller and Florence Nightingale.

The doll's face has been sculpted to look like the Queen's and Barbie's famous blond hair has been replaced with a severe grey coiffure, based on the one she wore on her wedding day.

The outfit is a nod to the look favoured by the Queen in royal portraits, an ivory gown with a blue riband pinned with miniature medallions inspired by royal family orders. The effect is completed by a premium box that depicts the doll set against a background of a throne and red carpet inspired by the throne room at Buckingham Palace.

Mattel, which produces Barbie dolls, confirmed that the limited-edition doll had sold out in the UK, but hinted that more could be released before next month's celebrations.