The dark side of Barbie dolls 

On hearing of the Duchess of Sussex’s alleged fondness for the Diabolo de Cartier Music Box (retailing for almost £3,000, in lacquered wood and gold-finish metal, freed bird motif turns when ‘La Vie En Rose’ plays), I reflected on the adult liking for childish things. 

Though the box is ostensibly for Meghan’s infant daughter Lilibet Ltd – sorry, Lilibet Diana – a source told Australia’s New Idea magazine that ‘Meghan has fallen in love with Cartier’s absolutely divine music boxes.’ It’s not hard to think of the Duchess of Montecito sitting alone at dusk as the poignant tune about living one’s best life plays, pondering her next move, while Harry and the kids get on with some finger-painting elsewhere in the vast mansion.

The adult predilection for the sweet can sometimes seem somewhat sinister. We’re familiar with the the ‘Uncanny Valley’ theory (that as robots appear more human, they become more appealing – but only up to a point) and this also applies to childish things.