On July 7, 2026, Queen Camilla visited Ashdown Forest in East Sussex to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Winnie-the-Pooh.
The iconic forest served as the original inspiration for A.A. Milne’s fictional Hundred Acre Wood. Making her first official appearance as the patron of the Royal Literary Fund (RLF), the Queen used the occasion to honor Milne’s legacy and celebrate the enduring magic of the children's classic.
Key Highlights of the Royal Visit
- Poohsticks Competition: Her Majesty played a traditional game of Poohsticks on the iconic "Poohsticks Bridge". She was joined by children who won a Winnie-the-Pooh-themed national poetry competition, as well as renowned children's author Dame Julia Donaldson.
- The Queen's Walk: The Queen officially unveiled a brand-new, all-weather walking trail called the Queen's Walk. The trail was built to make the forest more accessible to families and future generations of visitors.
- Paying Tribute: She visited "The Enchanted Place"—the famous location where Christopher Robin says goodbye to his animal friends. There, she paid respects at a memorial dedicated to A.A. Milne and illustrator E.H. Shepard.
- A Royal Legacy: Over £91 million has been generated from Milne's estate for the Royal Literary Fund since 1972, funding grants, education, and outreach programs for professional writers
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