The real Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, Kanga and Tigger have lived at the New York Public Library since 1987. Prime ministers, presidents and Queen Camilla haven’t changed that.
Winnie the Pooh just turned 100, and Britain would like him home for the party.
The original stuffed animals behind A.A. Milne’s stories have lived at the New York Public Library since 1987. British officials have spent decades trying to bring them back, or at least borrow them, The Washington Post reported, as WDW News Today noted on Thursday, Oct. 15.
The library keeps saying no.
Here’s CBS New York’s look at the library’s Pooh birthday celebration:
Why are the original Winnie the Pooh toys in New York?
Because Milne’s American publisher brought them over. E.P. Dutton took the toys to the U.S. in 1947 and donated them to the library in 1987, according to WDW News Today.
Milne published Winnie-the-Pooh in October 1926. He based the characters on stuffed animals that belonged to his son, Christopher Robin Milne.
Pooh is even older than the book. He was a present for Christopher Robin’s first birthday in 1921, so the bear is past 100, WDWNT noted.
Which Winnie the Pooh toys does the library have?
Five of them: Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, Kanga and Tigger. They’re on free, permanent display in the Polonsky Exhibition of The New York Public Library’s Treasures, Fine Books & Collections reported.
The original Roo was lost in an apple orchard in England in the 1930s. Owl and Rabbit were never toys at all, WDWNT said. Milne made them up for the books.
Who has tried to get the Pooh toys back?
A lot of important people. Past efforts involved Parliament, Congress, prime ministers, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and two presidents, WDW News Today reported.
In 1998, Labour member of Parliament Gwyneth Dunwoody made the case in the House of Commons.
“Just like the Greeks want their Elgin Marbles back, so we want our Winnie-the-Pooh back, along with all his splendid friends,” she said.
President Bill Clinton pushed back, saying losing the toys would be “unbearable.”
Years later, Prime Minister David Cameron asked President Barack Obama about the toys, according to Gyles Brandreth’s biography of Milne, Somewhere, a Boy and a Bear. An Oval Office aide reportedly called library president Anthony Marx.
“You don’t understand,” the aide said. “I’m speaking on behalf of the president of the United States.”
Marx shot back with “You don’t understand” of his own. He was the president of the New York Public Library, he said, “and the answer is no.”
What did Queen Camilla do?
She brought a new Roo. Camilla visited the library on April 29 during a trip to New York with King Charles III, ABC7 New York reported. Sarah Jessica Parker guided her through the building, and Anna Wintour came along.
The queen read from Winnie-the-Pooh to a group of public school kids and gave the library a brand-new Roo to join the collection.
Marx thanked her and said, “we welcome Roo to New York City.”
Brandreth, a friend of the late Christopher Robin, had visited New York two years ago on Camilla’s behalf, WDWNT reported. He was hoping the toys could visit Buckingham Palace for their 100th anniversary.
Will the Pooh toys ever go back to England?
It doesn’t look likely. The library cites the toys’ age as one reason they shouldn’t travel, and they bring in thousands of visitors a year, WDWNT reported.
These days, the British side mostly talks about a visit, not a permanent move.
“It would be wonderful if it happens, but I can’t see it happening anytime soon,” Brandreth said. “The ball is now really in the court of the New York Public Library.”
The palace declined to comment to The Washington Post, and the library didn’t respond, WDWNT noted.
How is the library celebrating Pooh’s 100th birthday?
With a pop-up called Silly Old Bear! Winnie-the-Pooh at 100.
It runs through Nov. 30 at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building on 42nd Street, Fine Books & Collections reported.
The display includes Camilla’s 3.5-inch Roo, a 1926 first edition, E.H. Shepard’s illustrations and Winnie Ille Pu. That’s the Latin translation that made The New York Times bestseller list in 1961.
Disney has its own celebration going at the parks, with new art and merch, as we reported on Oct. 14.
Pooh, for his part, has not commented.
Article compiled and written by Kambrea Pratt (editor-in-chief), Derek Gibbs (beat editor) and the Pirates & Princesses newsroom. Pirates & Princesses is part of WebReef Media.
Pirates and Princesses is your destination for Disney news, theme park updates, and the pop culture you love. From Disney cruises and travel tips to Disney fashion, food, collectibles, and movie news, PNP covers it all. Visit us at piratesandprincesses.net for daily coverage. Follow PNP on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to the Pirates & Princesses podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
Hat Tips:
WDW News Today, Shannen Ace (Oct. 15, 2026), The Washington Post’s report, the toys’ history and the quotes
ABC7 New York (April 29, 2026), Queen Camilla’s visit and Marx’s statement
Fine Books & Collections (Sept. 10, 2026), the library’s Pooh exhibition
Pirates and Princesses (Oct. 14, 2026), Disney’s Pooh 100 celebration
CBS New York on YouTube (Oct. 9, 2026), the library’s celebration
AI Disclosure: All articles are assigned, edited and reviewed by an experienced human editor before posting. Like most modern newsrooms, WebReef Media uses a variety of AI tools to help with accuracy and efficiency. Ways AI may be used in article creation include research, grammar, fact-checking and ideation, as well as occasional AI generated or enhanced thumbnails or graphics. No articles are generated or posted without human oversight or involvement.