Gyles Brandreth on Winnie the Pooh, Royal Family, and Prince Andrew

The Enduring Appeal of Winnie the Pooh

• 🍯 Winnie the Pooh is celebrating its centenary, with the first stories published in 1926, the same year as Michael Bond (creator of Paddington Bear) and Queen Elizabeth II were born.
• 👑 Queen Elizabeth II had a particular fondness for Winnie the Pooh, as the songs from the book were the first ever dedicated to her as Princess Elizabeth in 1928.
• 🧸 The real Christopher Robin Milm, son of author A.A. Milm, was voted the most famous little boy in the world alongside Winnie the Pooh.

A.A. Milm and Christopher Robin's Complex Relationship

• ✍️ A.A. Milm, a successful playwright and novelist, resented Winnie the Pooh for overshadowing his other literary achievements and dominating his life.
• 💔 Christopher Robin Milm initially enjoyed the fame associated with Winnie the Pooh but later resented his father for building his reputation on his childhood experiences.
• 🌳 Christopher Robin famously destroyed a record of himself singing, and later accused his father of building his reputation by standing on a small boy's shoulders.

The Diplomatic Quest for Winnie the Pooh

• 🇺🇸 The original Winnie the Pooh toy has been in America since 1947, treasured at the New York Public Library.
• 🗽 Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani famously declared the bear would not leave New York, stating, "He's got a green card. We're keeping him here."
• 🏰 Efforts are underway, including by Gyles Brandreth as a trustee of Queen Camila's charity, The Queen's Reading Room, to bring Winnie the Pooh back to the UK for a visit during its centenary year.

Royal Family Reflections

• 👑 King Charles is reportedly frustrated by the ongoing controversy surrounding his brother, Prince Andrew, especially during an important week for his state visit to the Vatican City.
• 🕊️ The King's focus is on his historic joint prayer with the Pope, a significant event since the Reformation.
• 🚶‍♂️ Brandreth believes the story of Prince Andrew's behavior will continue until it reaches its conclusion, regardless of title changes.