Winnie-the-Pooh is staying in New York, British Embassy says, quashing talk of a return to the UK

As of 4:27 p.m. ET, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026

Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends are not leaving the New York Public Library, the British Embassy in Washington said, dispelling rumors of a campaign to send the original stuffed animals back to the United Kingdom, The Associated Press reported.

"There's an open invite if Pooh ever wants to make a temporary visit to the UK, but we have no doubt that Pooh and his pals are in excellent hands with the New York Public Library," the embassy said in a social media post Thursday, according to the AP.

The toys belonged to author A.A. Milne's son, the real-life Christopher Robin, in the 1920s and inspired the characters in Milne's books. Publisher Dutton Children's Books donated them to the library in 1987, the AP reported. The collection includes Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore and Kanga.

"Christopher Robin's childhood toys are a cornerstone of our renowned children's literature collection," library communications director Melissa Grace said in a statement, according to the AP. She said the library plans to give away 3,000 copies of the books for Pooh's 100th anniversary.

The rumors began after The Washington Post reported last week on a push to bring the bear home as the character turns 100, the AP reported.

Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal reposted the embassy's statement Friday with a warning: "You come at the bear, you best not miss," according to the AP.