The British royal family has a long history with corgis, dating back to 1933 when Queen Elizabeth II's father, King George VI, introduced the breed to the family.

Queen Elizabeth II's love for corgis began when she was given her first corgi, Susan, on her 18th birthday in 1944.

The Queen's affection for corgis was so strong that she bred over 30 corgis during her reign, with many being direct descendants of Susan.

The Queen's corgis were pampered pets, with gourmet meals, individual bedrooms, and fresh bedding, showcasing the special treatment they received.

The royal connection to corgis has been well-documented, with the breed appearing in various media and cultural platforms, further increasing their global popularity.

Corgis have been a part of the royal family for generations, with 14 generations of royal corgis descending from Susan, the Queen's first corgi.

The Queen's love for corgis was not only a personal preference but also influenced the breed's popularity worldwide, with corgi registrations peaking after her death.

The historical bond between the British royal family and corgis has cemented the breed's place in popular culture, with the Queen's love for corgis being a significant factor in their enduring popularity.

The royal family's interactions with corgis can be used to create engaging storylines for children, teaching them about responsibility, compassion, and the importance of animal care.

A children's animated film about the royal family's corgis could incorporate educational elements such as historical facts, cultural context, and moral lessons to make it both entertaining and informative.

The film could teach children about the importance of love, empathy, and teamwork, as well as promote values such as courage, tolerance, and acceptance.

The story of the royal family's corgis could also be used to educate children about the history and culture of the British monarchy, as well as the importance of animal welfare and conservation.

The royal connection to corgis can promote positive values such as empathy, teamwork, and animal welfare in children's films, making them an ideal choice for promoting positive relationships between humans and animals.

The Queen's corgis were given royal treatment, with their own rooms and meals, and this luxury care can be used to promote empathy and animal welfare in children's films.

Corgis bring smiles to people's faces and are great fun, making them an ideal choice for children's animated films that aim to promote positive values.

The royal connection to corgis can inspire children to care for animals and promote positive animal relationships, which is essential for their emotional and social development.

The Queen's love for corgis can educate children about dog breeds and promote kindness towards all animals, which is a crucial aspect of animal welfare.

The historical bond between the royal family and corgis is a rich and fascinating topic that can be used to create engaging storylines and educational elements for children.

The British royal family has a long history with corgis, dating back to 1933 when Queen Elizabeth II's father, King George VI, introduced the breed to the family.

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Content: Queen Elizabeth II is known to have had over 30 different dogs during her reign as the head of the monarchy until her passing last week, Thursday September 8th 2022.

The Queen who has been succeeded by her son, the now His Royal Highness King Charles III, was a big animal lover, but had a definite soft spot for dogs, and in particular, the breed Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

On the day she passed, Queen Elizabeth II had four dogs, two Pembroke Welsh Corgis, one Dorgi — a cross between a Dachshund and a Corgi — and one Cocker Spaniel.

Read more: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle set to fly children Archie and Lilibet to the UK for Queen Elizabeth's funeral

It has been confirmed that her two remaining Corgis, named Muick and Sandy, will now be looked after by her son, Prince Andrew The Duke of York.

He will look after the dogs alongside his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess of York. Despite divorcing in 1997, they remain cohabiting.

The animals will live alongside The Duke and Duchess at their Royal Lodge in Windsor.

The change of ownership was confirmed by a spokesperson for the Duke of York.

Both dogs were gifted to the late monarch by the prince, and so will be returned to his ownership.

During lockdown, Prince Andrew gave Queen Elizabeth two dogs, Muick and Fergus. Sadly, Fergus died last May, and he was replaced with Sandy.

Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess of York, posted an emotional statement following the loss of her former mother-in-law.

"I am heartbroken by the passing of Her Majesty the Queen. She leaves behind an extraordinary legacy: the most fantastic example of duty and service and steadfastness, and a constant steadying presence as our head of state for more than 70 years," she penned.

"To me, she was the most incredible mother-in-law and friend. I will always be grateful to her for the generosity she showed me in remaining close to me even after my divorce. I will miss her more than words can express."

Queen Elizabeth II was renowned for her love of dogs, and other animals including horses.

She began her love of Pembroke Welsh Corgis back in 1933, when she was first given a little corgi named Susan as a gift for her 18th birthday.

All of the subsequent royal corgis bred by the monarch descended from Susan, the original.

It is not known or publicised who will care for Candy and Lissy, the previously mentioned Dorgi and Cocker Spaniel.

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Queen Elizabeth II's love for corgis began when she was given her first corgi, Susan, on her 18th birthday in 1944.

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Content: Give a paw: 20 photo proofs that dogs are the best friends of monarchs
26.01.2022, 0: 14, Misc
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Dogs in the role of pets of the royal families are a very long time, and especially they are loved by the British royal family.
The main lover of dogs, and it is Corgi, is Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain.
The first dog of this breed was presented to her by her father, King George VI, and 7-year-old Princess Elizabeth named the puppy Dookie.
Since then, and especially since the coronation of Elizabeth, Corgi have become residents of Buckingham Palace.
Most of the pets that later lived in the palace are the descendants of this dog.
At the court of Elizabeth II lived a total of more than 30 corgis.
And they became the only living creatures that are allowed to enter the room ahead of the Queen.
At some point, the Queen brought out a new breed – the Dorgi: this happened after one of her corgis had an affair with Princess Margaret ’ s Pipkin Dachshund.
So were born dogs named Vulcan and Candy.
The last corgi of Elizabeth II – 15-year-old Willow – died in 2018.
And in 2015, it was announced that the Queen will no longer breed them, since she has no idea who will take care of the corgi when she is gone.
At the end of 2020, one of her favorite dogs passed away - Dorgi Volcano, who posed with her mistress for Vanity Fair magazine in 2018.
After that, Her Majesty of Great Britain left only one dog, also a breed of Dorgy – Candy.
The coronavirus pandemic made its changes to the Queen ’ s plans: during the lockdown, she was presented with two Dorgy puppies – Fergus and Muick, and the gift was presented by her youngest son, Prince Andrew.
Unfortunately, Fergus died in May 2021.
But in June, in honor of the 100th anniversary of Prince Philip, Andrew bought his mother another puppy.
The future Queen of Great Britain, Princess Elizabeth
Warm feelings for the four-legged were adopted by Prince William and Harry, who got along with dogs since childhood.
In the family of William and Kate Middleton lived cocker spaniel Lupo, which they in 2011 for the wedding gave brother Kate – James, who is engaged in breeding dogs.
In November 2020, the dog was gone, and Middleton Jr. gave them a new puppy, whose name and even sex were unknown.
Probably, the baby, born by the sister of the same Lupo, the couple are very fond – during the last release last week, Kate and William, having met a puppy therapist in a hospital in Lancashire, told reporters that they are glad that their dog (yes, this is “she ”) does not see how they cute communicate with this charming puppy.
Prince Charles and Princess Diana with their sons William and Harriet Middleton and Prince William
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle also have their own history of relationships with dogs: now with the spouses in Montecito live beagle Guy and black Labrador retriever Pula.
Dog Guy is a real traveler: the dog moved with Megan to London in 2017 (her second dog she could not take because of the venerable age of the dog), and in 2019, he returned to the United States with his mistress.
The level of attachment of British monarchs to dogs (and not only) was reflected in art: in the summer of 2020, the theme of the annual photo exhibition at Buckingham Palace, which is held when Elizabeth II goes on vacation to Balmoral, was the theme of the love of members of the British royal family for animals.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry with the President and First Lady of Ireland and their dogs, 2018
There are other relatives of Elizabeth II: her son, Prince Edward, and daughter-in-law, Countess Sophie, have two dogs – a black Labrador and a Cocker Spaniel – and even a turtle.
Princess Anne ’ s daughter Zara Tindall and her husband Mike are the lucky owners of boxer Sway and two black labradors Storm and Pepper.
And, it seems, they are most loved by the couple ’ s daughters: once in the paparazzi captured the scene of Mia and Lena walking the dogs themselves.
However, due to the fact that the girls were very little, it is difficult to understand who was walking whom at that time.
And the eldest son of the Queen, Prince Charles, and Duchess Camilla live two dogs – Beth and Bluebell, and the second Duchess found on the street.
However, British monarchs are not the only ones who get along well with dogs.
In the Danish royal family (Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Marie) until 2021, there was only one dog – Border Collie Grace.
But in December she gave birth to two puppies.
In the royal family of the Netherlands (King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima), Labrador named Luna, Skipper and Nala live for several years, and in October they had a Mambo puppy.
In Norway, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit have their own pets – Labradoodle Muffin and Millie Cocoa.
This dog once greatly battered the nerves of its owners: in 2017, during a trip to the mountains, where the family was skiing, the dog escaped, but soon found him.
King of Sweden Carl XVI Gustav and Queen Silvia are avid dog owners no less than their “colleague ” Elizabeth: many years ago they had a dog Bingo, and in recent years they see a mongrel Brandi next to them.
Their daughter, Crown Princess Victoria, started the Rio Cavudla in the spring of 2020, which is a cross between a cavalier and a poodle.
We offer you to see a selection of the most interesting, cute, funny, touching photos with the participation of dogs and representatives of monarchies from around the world.
King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and Queen Maxima with their daughters, 2015 Duchess Camilla and Queen Letizia of Spain in Madrid, 2011 Crown Prince Haakon of Norway and Crown Princess Mette-Marit with children, 2018 Kate Middleton at St. Patrick ’ s Day Parade, 2019 Duchess of CamillaPrince Charles Daughters of Zara and Mike Princess Anne and Countess Sophie of WessekPrince EdwardCarolina, Princess of Monaco and Hanover - the eldest daughter of Prince Rainier III of Monaco and Grace Kelly
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Title:

Content: After her death...
Who cares for Queen Elizabeth's dogs?
Palestine Today - Gaza
Time: 10: 12 AM
September 13, 2022
After her death, the care of the dogs of the late Queen Elizabeth II is scheduled to pass to both the Duke and Duchess of York Andrew and Sarah.
The couple, who split up in 1996, are staying at the Royal Lodge in Windsor, where CNN quoted close sources as saying the duchess shared an interest in walking and horseback riding with the queen.
Following Prince Andrew's separation from Sarah, Sarah continued her friendship with the Queen by roaming dogs in Windsor.
The Queen reportedly had four dogs, two of them Pembroke Welch Corgi, and the rest from Moick and Sandy.
The late queen left behind dogs of the Dorje family and others of the Coker Spaniel.
In her life, Elizabeth II regularly took pictures with a Dorje dog, to the extent that some believed that the queen was behind the emergence of this breed, which was born as a result of the marriage of a corgi with a German dog owned by her sister, Princess Margaret.
The Queen ’ s passion for the corgi dates back to her childhood, when she fell in love with her father ’ s dog, King George VI, in 1944, to coincide with her 18th birthday.
Elizabeth had a Welsh pembroke named Susan, and her bond with him was strong enough to take him with her on her honeymoon in 1947.
Prince Andrew relinquished his public duties in 2019 after a storm of criticism over an interview about his relationship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Title:

Content: Sunday, Sep 11, 2022

Annual ‘Tour de Corgi’ event to include new ‘Queen Elizabeth’ costume category to honour the monarch

“We all have a very strong affection for her as a fellow corgi lover," Tour de Corgi founder Tracy Stewart was quoted as saying

Queen Elizabeth II is seen walking in the private grounds of Windsor Castle, in England, on steps at the rear of the East Terrace and East Garden with four of her dogs: clockwise from top left Willow (corgi), Vulcan (dorgie), Candy (dorgie) and Holly (AP/PTI)

As a tribute to the late UK monarch Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away at the age of 96 at her Balmoral estate in Scotland on September 8, after reigning for 70 long years, the Tour de Corgi parade — an annual event that celebrates the dog breed corgi — will include a new element this year that is likely to make fans of the British royal family and corgi lovers happy.

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It is no secret that the queen was extremely fond of dogs, especially corgis, from a very early age, and that she had been breeding them until 2018, when she finally realised that she may have to leave some of them behind after her death.

According to Country Living, the queen had four dogs at the time of her death: two Pembroke Welsh Corgis, a Dorgi (Corgi-Dachshund mix), and a Cocker Spaniel named Lissy, who joined the family only this year, in January 2022.

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In her lifetime, she reportedly bred 14 generations of corgis, and even famously declared: “My corgis are family.”

According to an Independent report, Queen Elizabeth‘s love for her four-legged friends was well-documented during this year’s platinum jubilee celebrations in the UK, when the sky above Buckingham Palace was lit up with images of the dog breed.

The publication mentioned that the Tour de Corgi parade this year — which has been taking place in Fort Collins, Colorado since 2014 — will include a “Queen Elizabeth and her corgis” costume competition, in “memorium and to honour her”, quoting the event’s organisers who shared this with a local newspaper ‘The Coloradoan‘.

This is a May 12, 1973 file photo of Queen Elizabeth II sitting with her corgis, at Virginia Water to watch competitors, including Prince Philip in the Marathon of the European Driving Championship, part of the Royal Windsor Horse Show.

Tour de Corgi founder Tracy Stewart was quoted as saying, “We all have a very strong affection for her as a fellow corgi lover. I think it is just, you know, our dogs are such a big part of our hearts that it creates a very heartfelt connection.”

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The aforementioned event will take place on October 1, 2022, and will conclude with a corgi parade through the town.

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According to a Reader’s Digest report, the queen was fond of corgis because of their “energy and untamed spirit”, and the fact that her parents welcomed the family’s first corgi, Dookie, in 1933. Eleven years later, in 1944, the queen’s father gifted her a corgi named Susan for her 18th birthday. The pupper even accompanied her on her honeymoon, and gave birth to a pair of puppies in 1949, which reportedly marked the beginning of the royal line of corgis.

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First published on: 11-09-2022 at 07:10:45 pm
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Content: To the rest of the world, she is Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom—but to generations of corgis, she was always just Mum.

The queen’s beloved corgis have never been far from her side, ever since she fell in love with the breed as a young girl.

See Also: Royal Family Shares Throwback Photos of Prince Charles

The queen received her first corgi, Susan, as an 18th birthday present, and her 14 generations of royal corgis since then have all descended from the same line. Sadly, Susan’s very last descendant, Willow, recently passed away, marking the end of era for the royal family. However, the queen will forever be associated with the distinctive breed.

We’re looking back at her lifelong affection for corgis. Launch the gallery to see candid photos of Queen Elizabeth and her favorite canine companions!

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Content: Queen Elizabeth II's corgis are 'thriving' a year after death of the monarch, Sarah, Duchess of York has said.

The late Queen's former daughter-in-law took over care of her final two corgis, Muick and Sandy, after her passing - housing them at Royal Lodge in Windsor.

The duchess has revealed how Queen Elizabeth 'entrusted' her with their care after death. Sarah shared a photograph of herself crouching on the edge of a field with the dogs, as she commemorated the anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's death a year today.

Sandy and Muick were given to the Queen during the coronavirus pandemic as gifts from her son the Duke of York. They played a sweet role in her committal service at Windsor Castle last September.

Read more: Anniversary tribute to late Queen Elizabeth II will be led by the Prince and Princess of Wales

The neatly groomed dogs were brought to the castle's quadrangle for the arrival of the late Queen's coffin, ahead of the service exclusive to family and trusted staff at St George's Chapel. Sarah Ferguson - nicknamed Fergie - wrote: "As we mourn a year on, we also celebrate the wonderful times we shared with Her Late Majesty the Queen.

"She entrusted me with the care of her corgis Sandy and Muick and I am delighted to say they are thriving."

Throughout her life, the Queen owned more than 30 corgis - many of which were direct descendants from Susan, who was an 18th birthday present from her parents in 1944. The Queen fell in love with her father George VI's dog Dookie, and wanted a corgi of her own.

Susan was so loved and cherished that she even accompanied Princess Elizabeth on her honeymoon.

The Queen's affection for corgis was so strong that she bred over 30 corgis during her reign, with many being direct descendants of Susan.

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Content: King Charles Spaniel numbers are declining and the breed is on the Kennel Club's 'vulnerable list' - amid Corgi boom following Queen Elizabeth's death

  • Corgis have seen boom in popularity after Platinum Jubilee and death of Queen
  • Number of Pembroke Welsh Corgis registered with Kennel Club hit 30-year peak
  • But popularity of King Charles Spaniels is continuing to decline, hitting a low
  • Lovers of the breed are hoping sharing name with new King will boost the dogs

Interest in Corgis has boomed following the Platinum Jubilee and the death of Queen Elizabeth, according to the Kennel Club.

Numbers of Pembroke Welsh Corgis registered with the organisation have reached a 30-year high, the Times reports.

Conversely, King Charles Spaniels are continuing to see a decline in their popularity, with lovers of the breed reportedly hoping that sharing a moniker with the new monarch may give the dogs a boost (though the new king prefers Jack Russells).

The breed, which is on the Kennel Club's vulnerable list, hit a low in 2020, with just 56 registrations. This increased to 91 in 2021, but numbers so far this year are so low, it is likely to drop beneath 2020.

The number of Corgis registered with the Kennel Club has reached a 30-year high, with interest growing following the death of the Queen (pictured here in 1980 with three of the dogs)

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (as pictured) are doing well in terms of popularity, although their close relative the King Charles Spaniel (not pictured) is seeing a decline

However, it notes that Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, the original breed from which King Charles diverged in the middle of the century, is doing well, with 3,772 registrations last year.

The original Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog breed was developed from toy spaniels. Popular as women's pets, they were also beloved of King Charles II, who was said to be so fond of his spaniels, he could not be parted from them.

Although Corgis were on the Kennel Club's vulnerable list in 2014, they are now one ofthe UK's most popular breeds, and the Queen is credited with boosting their popularity (pictured: Queen Elizabeth with one of her beloved corgis, Candy)

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi has become known as a symbol of British royalty thanks to its long-standing association with the Queen

Lovers of the ailing King Charles Spaniel may look to the influence the Queen had in turning around the fortune of corgis in recent decades.

The breed was listed as 'vulnerable' in 2014, and the Kennel Club credits Her Majesty's love of the dogs as the major factor in making them one of the UK's most popular breeds today.

Corgis, which have four short legs, a long snout and two huge pointed ears, are famous for being a symbol of British royalty.

HISTORY OF THE CORGI BREED

The word 'Corgi' is Welsh for 'Dwarf Dog', and there are two types; the Pembroke, which is the Queen's breed, and the Cardigan Corgi, a descendent Teckel family of dogs, which also produced the Dachshund

Pembroke Welsh Corgis originated in Pembrokeshire, Wales from the Spitz family of dogs which are characterised by long, thick fur and pointed ears and muzzle

Corgis are a cattle herding breed that can be traced back as far as 1107 AD, thought to have been brought to Wales by  Flemish weavers

They are the type of herding dog referred to as 'heelers', meaning that they would nip at the heels of cattle to keep them moving

The combination of their low height off the ground and the innate agility of Welsh Corgis would allow them to avoid the hooves of the larger animals

They were officially recognised as a native British breed by The Kennel Club in 1928, but Cardigans and Pembrokes weren't seen as separate breeds until 1934

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The Queen owned more than 30 of the sandy, short-legged dogs throughout her reign.

She was gifted her first corgi, called Susan, for her 18th birthday from her late father King George VI. Ten generations of her corgis then descended from Susan.

Her dogs were given the Royal treatment having their own rooms with elevated wicker baskets and meals of beef, chick, rabbit, liver, cabbage and rice being prepared by a chef each evening.

Sometimes the Queen herself made the dog's meals. But her late husband was said to have 'loathed' the dogs' yapping.

She left behind two dogs - Sandy and Muick - who are now cared for by Prince Andrew and the Duchess of York at their Royal Lodge home.

Muick, pronounced Mick, joined the royal family at the start of 2021 along with a so-called 'dorgi', a cross between a corgi and a dachshund, called Fergus.

Fergus, who had been named after the Monarch's uncle who was killed during battle in the First World War, died after just five months.

He was later replaced with a new corgi called Sandy, as a 95th birthday present from Prince Andrew and his daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.

Meanwhile Muick was named after Loch Muick on the Balmoral Estate.

Palace sources speaking to the Daily Mail previously revealed the beloved corgis were 'with [the Queen] in the room' at her deathbed when she died on September 8 at Balmoral.

They then touched people's hearts when they made a poignant appearance at Her Majesty's funeral on September 19.

As the late monarch's coffin made its way from London to its final resting place in Windsor, Muick and Sandy waited for the processional to pass, to see the Queen for one last time.

The dogs were seen waiting in the quadrangle with two aides before the late monarch was laid to rest in St George's Chapel.

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King Charles Spaniel numbers declining amid Corgi boom following Queen Elizabeth's death

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Content: Throughout her life, the Queen has made no secret of her love for her corgis and dorgis. The monarch has often been seen alongside her furry friends, and it is thought that she has looked after more than 30 of the dogs over the years.

As you can imagine, the Queen’s beloved pets have been treated to lives of pure luxury, with their meals more extravagant than most. The pampered pooches obviously couldn't just eat any old normal dog food, but instead are said to feast on the best ingredients produced by top chefs.

The corgis' diet is thought to be made up of luxurious meals such as fillet steaks and chicken breast. Royal biographer Brian Hoey revealed the details of the corgi’s luxurious diet in his book Pets by Royal Appointment.

READ MORE: Prince George's incredibly normal hobby that could see him play against members of the public and they won't even know

The biographer also revealed how the carefully prepared meals are delivered by a footman and then covered in gravy that is poured by the Queen herself. The pampered pets are also reportedly off limits when it comes to discipline. Brian wrote in his book that nobody is allowed to raise a finger or a voice to any of the dogs.

He claimed they cock their legs and do what corgis do wherever they want — on antique furniture, priceless carpets. They are also said to have their own room and they are allowed to wander around freely. According to Mail Online, the dogs never eaten tinned food and have even been given homeopathic remedies when they get sick.

The monarch’s close relationship with the corgi breed of dog goes back to 1933 when her father brought home a corgi that would later be named Dookie. When she was younger the Queen also had a corgi called Susan, who was gifted to her in 1944 for her 18th birthday, and quickly became a close companion.

Many of the Queen’s later corgis are said to be descendants of Susan, as the Queen continued to breed the line of dogs over fifty years. She even went on to create a number of 'dorgis', after cross breeding one of her dogs with Margaret's Dachshund, Pipkin.

Last year the Queen welcomed two new dorgis, one called Fergus and one called Muick, but the former sadly died from a heart defect in May. In June 2021, Prince Andrew and daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie gave the Queen a new puppy, named Sandy, on what would have been Prince Philip's 100th birthday.

According to Hello!, one of the Queen's closest aides, Angela Kelly, has told how the pets "always brought a smile to everyone's faces" in a new chapter for her book The Other Side of the Coin, The Queen, the Dresser and the Wardrobe. She said: "I was worried they would get under The Queen's feet, but they have turned out to be a godsend. They are beautiful and great fun and The Queen often takes long walks with them in Home Park."

Angela revealed that the dogs accompanied the Queen on a flight to Balmoral in August 2021. She told: "They were very well behaved, with Louis the footman on hand. Candy, who is an old hand at flying – she must have been on hundreds of flights in her lifetime – ambled about and kept her eye on the young pups. The puppies stayed close to The Queen but occasionally sniffed around your feet as they hoped for a nibble of something tasty from our lunch."

Do you have a story you think we should be covering? Email ella.bennett@reachplc.com

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The Queen's corgis were pampered pets, with gourmet meals, individual bedrooms, and fresh bedding, showcasing the special treatment they received.

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Content: Jump directly to the content

SNAFFLING down a rabbit freshly caught by Prince Harry or Prince William, it’s not their wives or family but the Queen’s corgis.

The pampered pooches are probably the best-fed pets in Britain with each of their gourmet meals being prepared by the same chef that does Her Majesty’s food.

Each offering sees them given meat, rice and a selection of vegetables to ensure their digestion is perfect.

Former palace chef Darren McGrady told The Sun: “The animals really do get spoilt. The corgis when I was there even had their own menu

“[There was] chicken, liver, beef, rabbit. Prince William and Harry used to go shooting rabbits in the great park and those rabbits would then be sent to Windsor and we’d have to clean them, draw them and poach them.

“If beef is on the menu, the beef comes in from the local butcher. Then it’s boiled, no salt, no seasoning, it’s just the plain beef and it’s boiled away until it’s really tender and then it goes into the larder kitchen to cool down.”

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Every meal is prepared with fresh ingredients every single day.

He added: “There’s always a bowl of rice because sometimes the dogs need a little help and there’s cabbage for the other way. That has to be prepared every day in the same kitchen the Royal Family’s nosh is prepped.

“You’re going to start by cutting it into a brunoise, which is an eighth of an inch die, a really fine dice, but when you’re doing things like rabbit and chicken, you’ve got to make sure you chop it really fine because imagine if there were bones in there that got stuck in the corgi’s throat. The royal chef’s off to the tower, I mean seriously.”

Once footmen delivered the food to the dog bowls, the Queen would stir it all together before putting it down for her canines to enjoy.

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Mr McGrady also claimed that for a special treat, Her Majesty would also crumble scones on to the carpet during afternoon tea for the pups to enjoy.

While the sweet snack isn’t a usual treat for dogs it went down well with corgi breeder Kevin Dover’s seven pups.

The 64-year-old, from Ross-on-Wye on Herefordshire, has also met the Queen after the palace decided to breed from one of his dogs.

He said: “The knowledge that she possessed about the breed and bloodlines, it was like talking to somebody that you meet at the dog shows every week.”

The corgi's luxurious treatment doesn't end there as they are even treated to individual bedrooms and fresh bedding.

A source of comfort

The Sun's Royal Correspondent Matt Wilkinson said: "They have their own bedrooms, their own wicker baskets to sleep. It's also said that they also have fresh sheets to sleep with.

"It's the treatment they have because they have the Queen as their owner. They travel in luxury, they live in castles and palaces, and they also get to often meet very important people."

The Queen's first corgi of her own was Susan, who was given to her when she turned 18 and until this year, all of her other pups have been bred from Susan.

Currently, she owns Muick who was a present from Prince Andrew following the death of her husband Prince Philip.

The pets have provided a source of comfort during the incredibly difficult grieving period for the monarch.

Mr Wilkinson added: “We know that on the day Prince Phillip died she was actually out with her corgis in the gardens and also after the funeral she was out with the corgis. They are a very important part of her life.”

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The royal connection to corgis has been well-documented, with the breed appearing in various media and cultural platforms, further increasing their global popularity.

Corgis have been a part of the royal family for generations, with 14 generations of royal corgis descending from Susan, the Queen's first corgi.

The Queen's love for corgis was not only a personal preference but also influenced the breed's popularity worldwide, with corgi registrations peaking after her death.

The historical bond between the British royal family and corgis has cemented the breed's place in popular culture, with the Queen's love for corgis being a significant factor in their enduring popularity.

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Content: Entertainment

“Did you know?” Royal Family special: 10 incredible facts about the British Crown!

However, behind this veil of privacy are some weird and wonderful facts that you might not believe.

Find out why the Queen has not one, but TWO birthdays, how she created a new breed of dog and other weird and wonderful facts about the royal family.

1. The Queen has TWO birthdays

Of course, even monarchs can only be born once. But that does not prevent the queen from celebrating two birthdays. She prefers to spend time with her family members on her real birthday, April 21. His “official” (not actual) birthday, which may vary across the Commonwealth, is usually on the second Monday in June and is marked by parades in the capital.

The reason Her Majesty has two birthdays?

The good old British days.

In 1748, King George II (who was born in October) decided to combine the annual summer military march with his own birthday celebrations. Since then, all monarchs have done the same.

2. You’re not supposed to touch them

The rule is that no one other than a member of the royal family physically touches a member of the royal family, especially the monarch. But this rule is often ignored these days. Michelle Obama hugged the Queen at Buckingham Palace in 2009. It’s supposed to be a big no-no, but the Queen apparently agreed to do it — some say she even initiated it.

3. You cannot access the throne by marrying one of them

There is no point in planning to marry a member of the royal family in the hope of hatching a plot to seize the throne. No one who marries a member of the royal family can ever ascend the throne. If you married a monarch, your title would be either queen or king-consort.

4. The Queen sets the tone for dinner parties

Eating with kings and queens can feel like a race for guests, only because as soon as the monarch stops eating, everyone has to put down their knife and fork. Sure, royal dinners are pretty lavish, but if you don’t want anything to go to waste, you better keep up.

5. They make their own money

Many people think that royals only get money from the taxpayer, but they actually have many sources of income. Their main income comes from the Duchy of Lancaster, a portfolio of residential, agricultural and commercial properties. And then, of course, many people visit London just to see the royal mansions, like Kensington Palace and Clarence House.

6. The Queen doesn’t need a passport

Although this is a little-known fact, it makes sense when you think about it: all British passports are issued in Her Majesty’s name. Why would Her Majesty need permission from herself to go abroad? The Queen is one of the only people in the world who does not need a passport to travel abroad.

7. They Can’t Play Monopoly

It may sound weird, but members of the royal family aren’t supposed to play Monopoly. It seems that, like the rest of us, even royalty isn’t immune to the inevitable internal feuds and conflicts. In 2008, the Duke of York revealed that apparently the traditional Christmas game was getting a little too vicious in the Mountbatten-Windsor family.

8. Many of them are buried in Westminster Abbey

Coronations, weddings and even royal funerals have taken place at Westminster Abbey. Seventeen British monarchs are buried within its grounds, the first being King Edward in the 13th century. All Tudor monarchs except Henry III are also buried here. Pay your respects by visiting the royal tombs on an abbey tour.

9. The Queen invented a breed of dog

The Queen is famous for her love of corgis, and when one of them mated with a dachshund, she created the new mixed breed dog Dorgi. Thanks to their loyalty, intelligence and kindness, almost all Dorgis are said to be as lovable and affectionate as they are cute.

10. They own a lot of property

The Crown Estate holdings are estimated at £14billion and span the whole of the UK in all sorts of niches including:

the royal palaces
Farms and Agriculture
Forestry and parks
Shops and residences
Minerals, including gold and silver
And many more. They also own the rights to racetracks such as Royal Ascot and even shopping malls.

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The royal family's interactions with corgis can be used to create engaging storylines for children, teaching them about responsibility, compassion, and the importance of animal care.

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Content: Surly koalas, wild horses and unruly dogs that scratch their unmentionables - it's all rather beastly being royal... as these charming pictures show

They say you should never work with children or animals but when you’re a member of the royal family you have little choice in the matter.

Senior royals carrying out their engagements are often required to meet, pet and be photographed alongside all sorts of creatures – and no matter how well-trained the animal, things don’t always go to plan as Queen Camilla discovered last week.

Her Majesty the Queen invited a group of medical detection dogs and their trainers to her home at Clarence House, where Labrador Maggie was tasked with presenting a gift basket to her.

But Maggie forgot her manners that day and, instead, just dropped it grumpily at Camilla’s feet, much to her amusement.

Here CLAUDIA CONNELL looks at some other beastly encounters had by the royals in the line of duty...

PUPPY LOVE...

Catherine, William and their children are big dog lovers and have a lively pet cocker spaniel called Orla who often appears in official portraits with the family.

William and Kate meet new therapy puppy Alfie, an apricot cockapoo during a 2020 visit to meet  staff and patients at Clitheroe Community Hospital

No doubt Kate was used to boisterous doggy behaviour and took it all in her stride when she met therapy puppy Alfie at Clitheroe Community Hospital in 2022. The 10 week old cockapoo wriggled in Kate’s arms and tried to lick her face but she still found him ‘so sweet’ adding ‘our dog is going to be very upset.’

CARROT AND LICK

Kate and William took nine-month-old Prince George with them when they visited Taronga Zoo in Sydney while touring Australia in 2014.

Feeding time for the giraffes as William and Kate visit Taronga Zoo in Sydney. The 2014 tour of  Australia was William and Kate's first official trip overseas with Prince George

 However, they wisely handed him to a nanny when it was time to feed carrots to a giant giraffe. From the look on his face, William appeared stunned to learn that it isn’t just a giraffe’s neck that is super long – their tongues are also 20 inches long!

AM I BOVVERED?

Long before the late Queen Elizabeth had tea with Paddington Bear, Kate and William met Leuca the koala bear on a state visit to Australia in 2014.

Kate stroked and tickled Leuca and even sniffed his fur to see if he smelt of eucalyptus.

Koalas are notoriously laid back and lazy as the then Duke and Duchess of Cambridge discovered when Leuca showed no interest in them whatsoever.

TRUNK CALL FOR HER MAJESTY

‘Pleased to meet you Your Majesty.’ The late queen was estimated to have shaken hands with close to one million people during her reign, but this was probably the only time she was offered a trunk.

In fact Donna the elephant wasn’t looking for a handshake at all, she was much more interested in the bananas the Queen and Duke were holding when they visited Whipsnade Zoo in 2017.

THE OUTLOOK IS WARM... AND WET

There aren’t many women who’d be quite so amused at having their make up licked off by a giant dog.

However, as patron of Guide Dogs, Sophie is used to such enthusiastic greetings when she visits training centres around the country. Here she is receiving a very warm and wet welcome on a visit to Forfar in 2019

PAWS FOR BREATH?

Sophie and her family have two pet dogs and a tortoise that according to Prince Edward ‘basically runs the house.’

It was an adorable golden retriever puppy who had the run of Sophie when she visited the Guide Dogs National Training Centre in 2021 when she, wisely, donned a lab coat to protect her clothes from the playful pups.

SCRATCHY PERFORMANCE

Corgis were the favourite dog of the late queen who was thought to have raised more than 30 of them during her reign.

When the queen visited a housing site in Darwin in 1977 she met up with an Aussie corgi, owned by some local residents.

While the humans were on their best behaviour, the doggie displayed some very ill-mannered behaviour when he sniffed the queen’s feet and promptly plonked himself down on them for a scratch.

DOE-EYED INTRUDER

‘Don’t trip me up, there’s a deer.’

Back in 2008 Charles and Camilla (then the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall) visited the Todaji Temple in Nara, Japan, where hundreds of wild deer roam the estate. At least they were a lot smaller and cuter than the giant beasts that roam Balmoral.

BARKING MAD

Queen Camilla is so besotted with her two rescue dogs Bluebell and Beth that she had the Jack Russell Terrier’s faces embroidered onto her coronation gown.

Charles and Camilla adopted the dogs from Battersea Cats and Dogs home, of which she is patron. As this picture of Charles, taken in 2022 with Beth shows, he is just as besotted – although he did stop short of having them embroidered on his coronation robes.

TERRIER-FIED - NO FEAR!

Terrified of a terrier? Not Queen Camilla!

She attended the Great Yorkshire Show in 2021 and presented a rosette to a pair of terrier pups, who couldn’t wait to get their muddy paws on it….and came perilously closes to dirtying Camilla’s polka dot dress too.

I'LL SHOW YOU MINE...

‘Eyes to camera and smile,’ nobody could accuse this horse of not co-operating at the press call.

 Camilla, herself a keen and skilled horsewoman, visited the International Horse Show at Olympia in December 2008, meeting many of the competing horses…but none of them left quite such a lasting impression as this scene-stealing grey – despite his teeth being in need of a jolly good clean!

REGAL REPTILE

One knows how to handle dogs and horses but what on earth do you do with a Tuatara lizard? The royal couple got up close and personal with the native creature on their tour of New Zealand in 2015.

Camilla decided against holding the reptile, but Charles’ anxiety at holding the slippery creature only made her collapse into giggles.

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A children's animated film about the royal family's corgis could incorporate educational elements such as historical facts, cultural context, and moral lessons to make it both entertaining and informative.

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Content: People 's Network > > Education
Children's Film: In the Name of Love and Beauty (Deep Watch)
Peng Jingyi
May 27, 2022 08: 50 | Source: People's Daily Overseas Edition
Small number
The film is directed towards the bright side.
Producer 's Map
Poster of the movie "A Little Starlight"
Image from Network
Poster of the movie “Bears Come Back to Earth ”
Image from Network
Farewell to the film, young man.
Producer 's Map
Since 1922, when the first film showing the lives of young children came out, children's films have taught children love and beauty throughout the century-long history of Chinese cinema.
"Little Soldier Zhang Ga" praised the small hero with full revolutionary passion and rich lyrical pen; "Pastoral Flute" expressed the harmonious view of the unity of heaven and man with beautiful ink artistic conception; "Grass House" showed the unique life picture scroll of the young man in the water village with the childhood experience of the little boy Sang Sang Sang. Color of the national mood.
These classic images of different eras are a good visual feast and a classroom for children of different eras.
Children's film education, unlike the traditional textbooks, is a kind of visualization, concrete, infused with the real feelings of education, often around the familiar stories of children and the excellent traditional culture of the Chinese nation, education in music, progressive layers, and immersion in the soul.
It is believed that small audiences who have seen "The Old Story of Chengnan" will not forget how the film sees the real adult world from the perspective of a poetic child, and small audiences who have seen "The Devil Child of Na Zha" will also remember the brave and fearless Na Zha from the myth and legend.
Show “Beauty with Love ”
Over the past 100 years, domestic children's films have been growing in exploration, implying ardent hope and humanistic care for children.
In the current context of media integration, children's film, as the image symbol and transmission carrier of truth, goodness and beauty, has also been fully exerted and demonstrated its core educational function of "taking love as beauty".
It can be said that the ultimate spiritual connotation of children's movies is love - a return to the most essential and original meaning of art.
Love, as a constant and eternal force, leads the art forward.
From "The Secret of the Treasure Gourd" to depict the innocent world in the children's perspective, to "My September" to trigger the audience's childhood memories and nostalgia with children's stories, and then "August" to reflect the complexity of the adult world from the perspective of children, children's films from different eras tell stories about children with increasingly diverse mirrors, shaping different children's images, carrying correct value orientation, and showing the characteristics of diversity and many types.
These children's films tell people about children's ideals, children's stories, children's emotions and children's emotions with love as the core, and outline a child's "utopia" that is different from the adult world.
In recent years, films such as "Flash Girl", "Looking for Snow Mountain" and "Celestial Dream" have attracted attention in terms of cultural quality, aesthetic innovation and type exploration, especially the highlight of love and beauty, and have been loved by the audience.
"A Little Star", which won the 33rd Golden Rooster Award for Best Children's Film, tells the story of a coach who can't jump rope in an ordinary rural primary school, who has trained a world rope skipping champion in just one year.
This inspirational work, which embodies the spirit of sports, highlights the beauty of spirit and strength, praises the quality of persevering pursuit and never giving up in difficulties, and reflects the cultivation and guidance of the correct values of contemporary youth.
Try to moisturize things.
At the centenary of the birth of Chinese children's film, children's film workers are more aware of the importance of using children's film to educate children about love and beauty.
For the creation, it is necessary to work carefully in every link, not in the form.
The details of the small and medium-sized protagonist running away from home are ironic, and it is basically that the child longs for parental care and cannot, reflecting the spring breeze and rain, "companionship is the best love for the child" educational concept.
Children's movies are not just writing love, but creating love; not just creating love in movies, but creating love throughout the process.
The creation of children's films is like teaching and educating people, and the film workers in each link are teachers, and they are teaching in every detail.
"Foreign Girl to My Home" tells a series of funny stories about "au pair" foreign girl participating in a Chinese family's parenting process.
The film reproduces the misunderstanding and contradictions between family members brought about by cultural differences in a realistic way, allowing children to grow up, and also allowing parents to reflect: for children, what is the more important ability and more scientific training methods, the film also fully demonstrates the creative concept of the main creation with the times.
Whether we can truly proceed from reality, respect the behavior and psychological characteristics of children, respect every child, and take seriously the growth of life is a problem that every child filmmaker must think about.
We need more children's film genres with artistic individuality and love as the driving force.
In recent years, there are innovative performance of domestic children's movies continue to emerge, such as Meng pet film "puppy milk bottle" by depicting the story of the little girl and the puppy, thinking about love and companionship, responsibility and respect; the 34th Golden Rooster Award for Best Children's Film "Goodbye!"
"Youth" tells the inspirational story of a terminally ill teenager racing against time, chasing musical dreams and igniting a short life; "Bear Infestation · Return to Earth" innovates the domestic classic IP, adding sci-fi color on the basis of traditional family fun; "Ice Time" takes ice hockey as a clue, records the ice hockey life of three caddies... Through different types, the film effectively stimulates the sensibility, rational thinking, intuitive judgment and creative imagination of the children's audience, and also makes the children's film become the bearers and practitioners of love and beauty.
Raise more empathy
The values, ethics and morality of truth, goodness and beauty are the universal pursuit of children's films worldwide; producing beauty, expressing beauty and spreading beauty are the eternal mission of children's film creation.
Children ’ s films tend to resonate with audiences in different countries more than adult films.
At present, domestic children's films have shown the potential of international expression and dissemination.
"To the Bright Side", which won the best long film award at the 25th New York International Children's Film Festival, not only presents the daily life of ordinary people in a realistic style, but also the ink animation and paper-cutting art used in the film have unique charm of Chinese traditional culture.
The whole film takes love as the main line of the narrative and conveys the belief of truth, goodness and beauty, which not only shows the mature aesthetic education power of Chinese children's films, but also becomes a model for the external dissemination of Chinese aesthetics.
In 2018, the Ministry of Education and the Central Propaganda Department jointly issued the Guiding Opinions on Strengthening Film and Television Education in Primary and Secondary Schools, which clearly pointed out that it is necessary to give full play to the important role of excellent films in promoting the all-round development of moral, intellectual, physical and aesthetic education for primary and secondary school students.
The goal of educating children with children's films is to train people with all-round development and promote the perfection of children's personality.
We urgently need to upgrade the concept of aesthetic education of children's films, play irreplaceable natural music belonging to children's own aesthetic in every link of children's film creation, cultivate, infiltrate and cultivate children's love for the world, love for movies, and also perceive the beauty of the world and the beauty of movies.
(The author is an associate researcher of the China Film Arts Research Center)
(Editor: Sun Jing, Hao Mengjia)
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The film could teach children about the importance of love, empathy, and teamwork, as well as promote values such as courage, tolerance, and acceptance.

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Content: Democracy Dies in Darkness

What to watch with your kids: ‘Paws of Fury’ and more

Here’s what parents need to know

Comment
Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank (PG)

Age 7+

Familiar adventure centers rude humor, slapstick violence.

Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank” is an animated comic adventure loosely based on Mel Brooks’s 1974 comedy “Blazing Saddles.” Hank (voice of Michael Cera) is a dog who wants nothing more than to become a samurai, even though that honor is always bestowed upon cats. He ends up assigned to defend an all-cat village and convinces a retired samurai named Jimbo (Samuel L. Jackson) to become his mentor. The adventure is mostly appropriate for families with younger kids but does include lots of martial-arts-based cartoon violence — some of it with weapons. There’s also rude and potty humor (jokes about flatulence, burping, butts, spaying and neutering) and insult language (“idiot,” “imbecile,” “dimwits,” “suck,” etc.). One line, “mother cocker spaniel,” sounds a bit like Jackson’s infamous cursing. Catnip is depicted as an addictive substance that can be abused, and a major character is portrayed as being dependent on it. Although the movie isn’t educational in nature, its themes encourage courage, empathy and teamwork, as well as tolerance and acceptance. (102 minutes)

In theaters.

Where the Crawdads Sing (PG-13)

Age 14+

Standout performances in uneven, trauma-filled adaptation.

Where the Crawdads Sing” is a romantic mystery/drama based on Delia Owens’s best-selling 2018 novel. It’s set in the coastal marshes of 1950s-1960s North Carolina, where young Kya is dubbed “Marsh Girl” because she lives in near-complete isolation. As a young adult, Kya (Daisy Edgar-Jones), who doesn’t trust the nearby townspeople, is accused of murder. Like the book, the film deals with heavy subjects, including child abandonment, domestic abuse and sexual assault. The language is largely insults and uses of “damn” or “goddamn”; a White man also calls a Black man “boy.” Violent scenes involve disturbing acts of intimate partner abuse, child abuse and sexual assault. A character is alcohol-dependent and has an unspecified mental health condition. Kya experiences two pivotal romantic relationships, both of which include kissing and love scenes. The movie’s depiction of two Black characters, while better than the book’s, still plays into the “magical Negro” cliche, in which a character of color exists only to help a White main character. Issues related to trauma and isolation are threaded throughout the story, but so are the importance of nature, conservation and education, giving parents and teens plenty to talk about after watching. (125 minutes)

In theaters.

The Deer King (R)

Age 14+

Beautifully drawn anime has bloody violence, complex story.

The Deer King” is a mystical fantasy anime film about an ancient people trying to survive a pandemic spread by infected wolves. It’s the directorial debut of Masashi Ando, the animation director of “Princess Mononoke,” and is similar to that classic in both story and animation style. There are scenes of intense, bloody violence: Expect dog attacks, flying arrows that hit their targets, a limb being sliced off and stacks of dead bodies. A child is frequently in peril, and there’s quite a bit of sword use and snapping animal jaws. Language is infrequent but includes insults and a use of “damn.” Adults drink an unspecified substance out of indistinct bottles. The story can sometimes be a bit challenging to follow, especially for those watching the English-subtitled version, which uses terminology that may not be immediately familiar to all viewers. What comes through loud and clear, though, are themes of courage and perseverance, as well as the movie’s message that the loving bond between a parent and a child has nothing to do with sharing blood. Note: The film’s true ending comes after the credits. (113 minutes)

In theaters.

Persuasion (PG)

Streaming

Age 10+

Diverse but muddled adaptation has drinking, mild innuendo.

Persuasion” is an adaptation of Jane Austen’s final completed novel that aims for a more modern feel than previous versions. Characters of color are featured in lead roles, which isn’t typical for films set in early-19th-century upper-class England. Plus, main character Anne (Dakota Johnson) is positioned as a feminist who spars intellectually with men and stands up for women’s rights. The movie also has a few mature elements. Expect flirting, kissing and innuendo. Adults, including Anne, drink. A boy injures his arm and has to be carried home crying. A woman falls, hits her head and gets a serious concussion that takes months to heal. (109 minutes)

Available on Netflix.

Common Sense Media helps families make smart media choices. Go to commonsense.org for age-based and educational ratings and reviews for movies, games, apps, TV shows, websites and books.

The story of the royal family's corgis could also be used to educate children about the history and culture of the British monarchy, as well as the importance of animal welfare and conservation.

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Content: Skip to main contentSkip to navigation

‘I love writing for children’: Emma Thompson and Axel Scheffler on their amazing shaggy dog story

The Oscar-winning actor and the Gruffalo illustrator have teamed up to create a tale about a scruffy hound. They discuss corgis, comic books and how their friendship began

Axel Scheffler was an unknown illustrator, working largely for Good Housekeeping magazine, when he received a letter in response to a small exhibition of his work. It was from Emma Thompson, a young actor who had begun to attract attention with TV series such as Fortunes of War and Tutti Frutti. Neatly written in fountain pen, it inquired whether he would accept a commission. “Ken Branagh, my chap, runs his own theatre company,” it explained. He was playing Hamlet to her sister Sophie’s Ophelia and she wanted something to commemorate a moment in time. “I have a vague notion of what you charge for your work, which doesn’t seem to me to be enough,” it went on. “I enclose a picture of Ken and Sophie in case it’s of use.”

Scheffler still has the letter and has brought it along 34 years later to an interview to mark their first literary collaboration, on a children’s picture book, Jim’s Spectacular Christmas. “That’s amazing,” says Thompson of the letter, which predates her six-year marriage to Branagh and was written from the flat they shared in 1988. Then she trumps it, by announcing that she still has the envelope in which Scheffler sent the two pictures. It was decorated with a picture of Hamlet sitting on a skull “looking really depressed” and it sits framed above a loo in her home to this day.

So began a correspondence that continued over the years with requests to Scheffler to design letterheads for both Thompson and her actor mother, Phyllida Law. Though they never actually met in person, they exchanged gifts on the birth of their first children; hers to him was a food hamper; his to her was a picture of a pig wheeling a pram. A pig? Yes, she explains, a pig is her letterhead emblem. When she later became a dame he drew her a picture of a pig wearing a dame badge. “So, without ever meeting, Axel has been part of the illustration of my la-i-ife.” She draws the vowel out into a camp diphthong as part of a running joke with Scheffler as to which of them will seem most exciting to the children for whom their new book is intended: the actor who starred as Nanny McPhee and now as Mrs Trunchbull in the film of Matilda the Musical or the illustrator of the mega-selling Gruffalo books.

We’re sitting in a grand upstairs room at the V&A museum, having skittered along corridors, through porticos and galleries just like the protagonist of their book. He’s a small scruff of a dog named Jim, with a “gamey whiff” and a “rheumy eye”. He’s based on a terrier that was, in real life, the faithful companion of the V&A’s founder and first director, Sir Henry Cole, who left a handy sketch of him and commemorated him with a plaque in the museum. In Thompson’s telling, Jim is rescued from life as a canine chimney brush after tumbling down a flue in a cloud of soot into a gathering of museum worthies. From that inglorious beginning he goes on to become part of the 19th-century invention of Christmas, presenting Queen Victoria with the world’s first commercial Christmas card.

The card, drawn to Cole’s design by his artist friend John Horsley, still exists and copying it has given Scheffler an unprecedented opportunity to depict a child drinking wine: “That’s really not allowed in children’s books,” he points out. Other historical details include the small printing press on which the cards were produced for Cole, an innovator who was also instrumental in introducing the world’s first postage stamp, the penny black. Humorously told and drawn though it is, this is a history book as well as a shaggy dog story – a delicate balancing act that became clear when it came to the portrayal of Queen Victoria, whose chest is being dabbed by her solicitous husband, Albert, to rid it of a tea stain when Jim catches his first glimpse of the royal family. “I thought she was still very young but you describe her as round, so I made her a little bit more – well – round,” says Scheffler.

Thompson, who has always taken her historical research seriously, points out that Victoria would indeed have still been young by 21st-century standards – she was only 42 when Prince Albert died and he is still very much alive in the story – but by that time she was somewhat altered by having given birth to nine children in 17 years. Underpinning Jim’s story is the bigger history of the creation of Albertopolis, the west London museum quarter that was dreamed up by the prince as part of a vision of culture for the masses and is now the home to the Science and National History museums as well as the V&A. “When you start reading about Albert you realise what an incredible bloke he was,” says Thompson. “He was so much more cultured and sophisticated really than our lot are. It was a great tragedy that he died so young, because I think he would have made lots of changes.”

Royal corgis do not come out of it so well: Thompson depicts a stoutly entitled one chasing poor Jim out of the palace. “I just feel as though the corgis might be a bit spoilt,” she says. “But I think actually it’s very likely that the Queen [Elizabeth] was quite fierce with them and that they were very well trained.” This isn’t entirely a matter of conjecture. “I did actually see her do this once. She opened her handbag, in which she had an unwrapped dog biscuit, and when she drew three circles over the head of three corgis they all rolled over. It was like a circus trick, but the thing I really loved was that she had an unwrapped dog biscuit in her handbag. I thought, well, that’s got to make your hankie smell a bit.” This prompts a bit of banter between the duo as to what else she might have kept in her omnipresent bag: carrots for the royal horses, perhaps.

Thompson writes like she talks: irreverent, refreshingly un-grand and with a comic timing that is accentuated in the book by Scheffler’s deployment of mini-tableaux: Jim having a bath, reading a book or slurping up a bowl of custard. The actor was an early connoisseur of comic-book humour, who once wrote a fan letter to the creators of Asterix and received the reply that they were delighted to have made a small English girl laugh. Scheffler, growing up in Germany at around the same time, was a devotee of a comic-strip bear called Petzi, by the Danish husband and wife team Vilhelm and Carla Hansen.

It was Thompson who brought Scheffler in on Jim’s Spectacular Christmas, having already written the story, complete with character sketches, and folded them up into a little book. Though an award-winning screenwriter, she had no ambition to diversify into picture books, she says. But she agreed to this one because it was pitched to her as an invitation from Henry Cole himself, just as the three Peter Rabbit books she has previously written were pitched as invitations from Peter: “There’s still a little bit of me that thinks it was Peter Rabbit himself who asked me,” she says. “I love writing for children. I think it’s perhaps a legacy from dad.” Her sister, Sophie, also now writes books for children. Their father, Eric Thompson, presented the children’s TV programme Play School and went on to create and narrate The Magic Roundabout.

The question is not if, but when, Thompson and Scheffler will collaborate again – they circle around the idea during the interview as if neither can quite believe that the other would actually stoop to it. When time’s up we’re ushered out along the corridors to a staircase that museum staff have identified as the exact one that Scheffler has depicted, where an excited gaggle of east London schoolchildren awaits.

Settling herself on the steps in their midst, beside a large cardboard cut-out of Jim, Thompson asks who has heard of the Gruffalo and a rafter-rattling cheer goes up. Scheffler lurks in the shadows as she starts to read from the book. “Now what,” she asks, “do you think ‘a gamey whiff’ means?”

Jim’s Spectacular Christmas, written by Emma Thompson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, is published by Puffin (£14.99). To support the Guardian and Observer order your copy at guardianbookshop.com. Delivery charges may apply

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The royal connection to corgis can promote positive values such as empathy, teamwork, and animal welfare in children's films, making them an ideal choice for promoting positive relationships between humans and animals.

The Queen's corgis were given royal treatment, with their own rooms and meals, and this luxury care can be used to promote empathy and animal welfare in children's films.

Corgis bring smiles to people's faces and are great fun, making them an ideal choice for children's animated films that aim to promote positive values.

The royal connection to corgis can inspire children to care for animals and promote positive animal relationships, which is essential for their emotional and social development.

Title:

Content: Queen welcomes adorable new family member amid challenging times – and they’re named after her!

  • We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
  • The Queen has reportedly welcomed a sweet new family member named in honour of her and Prince William and Kate Middleton would likely approve.

    The Queen’s corgis never fail to delight royal fans over the years, whether the monarch is spotted out walking them, or they make a special appearance in photographs inside Buckingham Palace. However it now seems like Her Majesty could possibly have introduced a new canine member of The Firm to her existing dogs and she’s strayed away from her usual favoured breeds of corgis and dorgis (a sweet dachshund and corgi mix).

    According to the Mail on Sunday’s Talk of the Town, the Queen has reportedly welcomed a four-year-old cocker spaniel to the family.

    The publication went on to claim that the cocker spaniel is a prize-winner and was top dog at the Kennel Club Cocker Spaniel Championship, supposedly beating 38 others to become the Queen’s first gun dog champion. The spaniel, Wolferton Drama, is even said to be known more colloquially as ‘Lissy’ in tribute to Her Majesty.

    And it seems she certainly has a loveable personality, having grown up a lot since she was a puppy. It’s alleged that trainer Ian Openshaw explained, “Lissy used to be a bit of a monkey when she was younger, but she has really come into her own now.’

    If these reports are indeed true, then the Queen has welcomed Lissy at what is a very challenging time for the royals.

    Just days ago, the Queen banished Prince Andrew from social media after previously stripping him of his royal patronages and military honours. Whilst now the Queen faces months of heartbreak as a series of devastating family anniversaries approach.

    Facing such a difficult period, the Queen will no doubt draw great comfort from Lissy and her other pets. And her reported choice to welcome a cocker spaniel is something Prince William and Kate Middleton will likely greatly approve of.

    The couple are believed to have become proud owners of another cocker spaniel just before their beloved pet Lupo died in November 2020.

    Recently, Kate gave a rare update on the Cambridge family pet, but still not much is known about their second spaniel. It’s thought that she was a gift from James Middleton and that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were “besotted” with their new arrival.

    Now it seems like she could have another spaniel to play with if the Queen introduces the new family member in the future.

The Queen's love for corgis can educate children about dog breeds and promote kindness towards all animals, which is a crucial aspect of animal welfare.

The historical bond between the royal family and corgis is a rich and fascinating topic that can be used to create engaging storylines and educational elements for children.