So, what’s the takeaway from all this? Keep your junk. That ugly vase from Aunt Marge? It might be worth something. More important: it holds a story. The Queen’s hippo wasn’t the most valuable item on the show, but it was the most human.
Also, never underestimate the power of a good hobby. Whether it’s stamps, ceramic animals, or collecting vintage postcards from 1987, pursue it with joy. Because someday, someone will look at your collection and say, “This is absolutely bonkers, and I love it.” Just like the Queen.
And if you ever find a small blue hippo at a thrift store? Buy it. Consider it a little reminder of a lady who wore a crown, loved her corgis, and kept a secret menagerie of delightful porcelain creatures. Long may her weirdness reign.
