The Queen celebrated her official birthday on Saturday, 12 June, with a slimmed down Trooping of the Colour. However, she is in good company celebrating her 95th birthday; beloved bear Winnie the Pooh is also celebrating his 95th birthday this year.
Winnie the Pooh will reach its 95th publication anniversary in October 2021. To mark the milestone and the Queen’s birthday, Disney has released a new 45 second animation titled Winnie the Pooh and the Royal Adventure.
The A.A. Milne book, Teddy Bear and the Other Songs from When We Were Very Young, was dedicated to Princess Elizabeth when she was born in 1926. She was reportedly given a china set featuring Winnie and all of his friends as a young child.
In trusted Winnie the Pooh manner, Pooh sends the Queen a jar of honey for her birthday carried by a set of balloons. He and his best friends- Christopher Robbins, Piglet, Tiger, and Eeyore. The lovable group set out on an adventure from the Hundred Acre Woods all the way to Windsor Castle to present their gift. The Queen watches from her sitting room as the honey and the friends arrive, and then waves at them from outside the castle.
Artist Kim Raymond drew the animation in the style of E.H. Shephard, the original Winnie the Pooh illustrator. As reported by ITV, Raymond said: “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”.
This is not the first royal birthday celebration with Winnie the Pooh. In 2016, Winnie the Pooh was released as a storybook and an audiobook to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday. Although unnamed, Prince George made an appearance in the book- Piglet presents him with a red balloon.
