Royal Celebrations for Winnie the Pooh’s 95th
To celebrate 95 years of the world’s most famous bear – Winnie the Pooh – Disney has released a special animation entitled Winnie the Pooh and the Royal Adventure featuring Pooh and Friends.
The new 45-second animation has been created to celebrate Winnie the Pooh’s 95th anniversary, and pays tribute to Her Majesty The Queen, who also turns 95 this year. October 2021 marks 95 years since the publication of the first ever Winnie the Pooh stories and his arrival in the Hundred Acre Wood.
The beautiful animated tale sees Winnie the Pooh delivering a special gift to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, alongside trusted friends, Christopher Robin, Piglet, Tigger and Eeyore. The group, led by the loveable bear, embark on an adventure that sees them set off on the journey from the Hundred Acre Wood to Windsor Castle.
Featuring bespoke illustrations, the animation was created by Disney appointed artist, Kim Raymond, who was inspired by the classic style of E.H. Shepard.
Fans will follow Winnie the Pooh and Friends as they consider the perfect gift for the Queen – unsurprisingly a giant pot of honey, attached to 95 colourful balloons. Featuring a touching glimpse of Her Majesty the Queen, the short celebrates what the world has loved about Winnie the Pooh for 95 years – timeless charm, friendship and simple joys.
Kim Raymond, Winnie the Pooh illustrator, said: “It’s always an honour to draw Winnie the Pooh, and even more so when in the company of Her Majesty the Queen. I have drawn Pooh Bear for over 30 years and continue to be inspired by the classic works of E.H. Shepard. Disney wanted to create a touching story befitting of the world’s most loved bear, who for over 95 years, has touched the hearts of millions. I sincerely hope fans enjoy watching Winnie the Pooh and the Royal Adventure as much as I enjoyed creating it.”
Disney’s Tasia Filippatos comments, “Winnie the Pooh stories hold a unique place in the hearts of so many around the world. The themes of friendship and simple pleasures are more relevant than ever 95 years on and we’re delighted to share this new tale to help fans celebrate his milestone birthday.”
It was believed a young Princess Elizabeth was a fan of the classic A.A. Milne tales and was gifted a Christopher Robin china nursery set with hand-coloured pictures of Christopher Robin, Pooh and Friends. The 1926 A. A. Milne book, Teddy Bear and the Other Songs from When We Were Very Young, was dedicated to Princess Elizabeth upon her birth. More recently, in 2016, to mark Pooh and the Queen’s 90th celebrations, Winnie the Pooh and the Royal Birthday was published, which saw Pooh meet Her Majesty for the very first time.
To continue the Royal Adventure, shopDisney will reveal exclusive illustrations by Kim Raymond on its Instagram Stories here. These illustrations will tell the story of what Pooh, Christopher Robin, Piglet, Tigger and Eeyore get up to as they make their return to the Hundred Acre Wood.
For years, Disney has also ignited fans’ imaginations with products and experiences that celebrate Winnie the Pooh’s unique heritage. Throughout 2021, fans will continue to enjoy a wide range of new products and collaborations to mark 95 years of Winnie the Pooh. These products will range from soft toys and apparel for kids, to homeware, loungewear and well-being products for young adults.
