This report explores the enchanting relationship between Queen Elizabeth II and her beloved Pembroke Welsh Corgis, revealing how this bond transformed the breed into a global symbol of British royalty.

It details the privileged lives of royal corgis, the historical roots of their connection with the British royal family, their rise in media and culture due to the Queen’s devotion, and the whimsical anecdotes that reflect their special place in royal history.

The report concludes by highlighting how these heartwarming narratives offer rich inspiration for children’s animated storytelling.

Queen Elizabeth II’s love for corgis began early and grew into a lifelong affection.

Her first corgi, Susan, was a gift on her 18th birthday in 1944, marking the start of a royal lineage encompassing 14 generations of corgis all descended from Susan.

Over her lifetime, the Queen owned more than 30 corgis, later including Dorgis—an affectionate corgi-dachshund mix—and other breeds, underscoring her deep devotion.

She famously declared, “My corgis are family,” a sentiment reflected in her hands-on care, including personally preparing their meals and training them with kind but firm discipline.

Susan, in particular, was a notable figure; she accompanied the Queen on the royal honeymoon and appeared in many official photographs, personifying the intimate relationship between the monarch and her dogs.

Her corgis enjoyed distinct royal privileges such as having their own rooms outfitted with elevated wicker baskets, gourmet meals prepared by chefs or the Queen herself, and special training sessions with unwrapped biscuits from her handbag, giving their daily lives a whimsical, noble charm .

The royal family’s special connection to corgis dates back to 1933, when King George VI, Queen Elizabeth II’s father, gifted her the family’s first corgi named Dookie.

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi breed itself traces its origins to Wales, around 1107 AD.

Known as “Dwarf Dogs” because of their short stature, these cleverly agile herders nipped at cattle heels to move livestock without injury.

This demanding task showcased their intelligence, energy, and loyalty—traits that resonated with the Queen and endeared corgis to the royal household.

Their distinctive appearance—short legs, long bodies, large, alert ears—became iconic, matching British royalty’s elegance and charm .

Queen Elizabeth II’s dedication to breeding, raising, and personally caring for her corgis significantly boosted their global fame.

She maintained 14 generations descended from Susan and kept close bonds with her dogs throughout her reign.

This royal patronage caused a surge in Pembroke Welsh Corgi registrations, reaching a 30-year peak first after the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and again following her death in 2022.

These increases reflected both widespread affection for the Queen and renewed public enthusiasm for corgis as symbols of loyalty and British heritage.

Corgis featured prominently in British culture, including the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony and films like the James Bond series, which included nods to the Queen’s dogs to amplify British pride.

Community celebrations such as the annual “Tour de Corgi” further honor this legacy, featuring costume contests and festivities celebrating the breed’s regal status and spirited personality .

Corgis’ royal association has also made them popular figures in children’s literature and animation.

They appear in books like Vivian French’s *Wiggle and Waggle* and star in animated films such as Disney’s *The Queen’s Corgi* (2019), which portrays corgis as lively, loyal characters inspired by the Queen’s own dogs.

These portrayals enhance corgis’ image among younger audiences, helping to embed their charm and heritage in global culture.

Their distinct looks, combined with the idea of royal companionship, create memorable, endearing characters that capture children’s imagination worldwide .

Whimsical and heartwarming stories abound about the Queen’s corgis, illustrating their role as cherished family members and companions.

The Queen was known to train her dogs with unwrapped biscuits from her handbag, enchanting them into obedience much like a circus trainer might charm performers.

Another famous royal corgi, Willow, appeared frequently alongside the Queen in recent years, including at public events and providing emotional comfort during difficult periods such as the Duke of Edinburgh’s illness.

The dogs often accompanied her on tours and were fixtures at personal and public royal occasions, emphasizing their role as loyal confidants and ambassadors of a playful yet dignified royal tradition .

The legacy of the Queen’s corgis continues through their ongoing care by royal family members and through popular cultural remembrance.

Following the Queen’s passing, her remaining corgis remain cherished and cared for within the royal household, preserving the intimate bond she fostered.

Public events such as the “Tour de Corgi” have grown in prominence, celebrating the joyful spirit and royal heritage of these dogs through festive gatherings and charity activities.

This enduring admiration evidences how the Queen’s lifelong devotion shaped the breed’s identity as a beloved symbol of warmth, loyalty, and tradition in Britain and beyond .

In summary, the magical bond between Queen Elizabeth II and her corgis offers a rich and whimsical portrait of royal life, blending dignity with affection.

The intimate glimpses into their daily lives, training, and companionship provide ideal material for children’s animated storytelling centered on themes of family, friendship, and belonging within the royal household.

The story of a corgi dreaming of joining the palace is thereby filled with heart, tradition, and royal magic—perfectly suited to inspire young audiences with timeless messages of loyalty, joy, and discovery .

This report explores the enchanting relationship between Queen Elizabeth II and her beloved Pembroke Welsh Corgis, revealing how this bond transformed the breed into a global symbol of British royalty.

Title:

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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It details the privileged lives of royal corgis, the historical roots of their connection with the British royal family, their rise in media and culture due to the Queen’s devotion, and the whimsical anecdotes that reflect their special place in royal history.

The report concludes by highlighting how these heartwarming narratives offer rich inspiration for children’s animated storytelling.

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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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Queen Elizabeth II’s love for corgis began early and grew into a lifelong affection.

Title:

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!

Her first corgi, Susan, was a gift on her 18th birthday in 1944, marking the start of a royal lineage encompassing 14 generations of corgis all descended from Susan.

Title:

Content: Loyal to the last minute: Sandy and Mick, the Queen's beloved Corky dogs, are buried for the Queen
Two Corgi and a pony make a touching scene during Queen Elizabeth's final farewell ceremony.
The Queen ’ s dogs and horses to their owners Source: Getty / (Photo by Justin Setterfield / Getty Images)
The Queen's beloved Corgi and one of her favourite ponies staged a touching farewell to their owners in a final, loyal farewell.
Two well-groomed puppies, Muick and Sandy, were led by red and blue towing ropes to the grounds of Windsor Castle, waiting for the Queen ’ s casket to be delivered to St George ’ s Church for a final farewell ceremony.
Emma, who has been with the Queen for 26 years, stands quietly on the grass on the promenade leading to the castle.
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It was a moving scene as the lone pony stood among hundreds of bouquets of flowers in mourning for the Queen, cared for by Terry Pendry, the Queen's trusted horseman and administrator of Windsor Castle.
Dressed in a bowler hat, black jacket and horse boots, Pendry bowed his head as the Queen passed by.
Behind Pendry and Emma were horsemen from the Royal Stables in Windsor, wearing black armbands as a sign of mourning.
Emma, the monarch's fell pony, stands as the Ceremonial Procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II arrives at Windsor Castle for the Committal Service at St George's Chapel on 19 September, 2022 in Windsor, England.
Source: Getty / (Photo by Andrew Matthews - WPA Pool / Getty Images)
As the owner's coffin and funeral procession passed before her, the black pony, with its ears twitched and its tail wagging, stomped twice on the ground with a front hoof.
Pendry once described Emma as "an excellent servant of Her Majesty" and one of her favourite horses.
Queen Elizabeth II is known for her love of puppies and horses as well as her passion for horse racing and breeding thoroughbreds.
The dogs, Mick and Sandy, were being watched by two royal guards in red uniforms on Monday, and they stroked the dog as one of them lay face down on the ground.
The Queen has owned more than 30 Corgi in her lifetime.
Many of her Corgi are direct descendants of Susan, an 18th birthday present given to her by her parents in 1944.
At the time, the Queen was very fond of her father George VI ’ s dog, Dookie, a Pembrokeshire Corgi, and wanted to have a dog of her own.
Prince Andrew, Duke of York pets the royal corgis as they await the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II as it travels on its way to Windsor Castle for the Committal Service at St George's Chapel on 19 September, 2022 in Windsor, England.
Source: Getty / (Photo by Peter Nicholls - WPA Pool / Getty Images)
Susan is a very pleasant puppy, she has been with Princess Elizabeth during her honeymoon.
In 2021, during the Queen ’ s isolation at Windsor, Prince Andrew gave her two new puppies (a doggy and a corgi) as gifts.
The puppies brought joy to the Queen during the Duke of Edinburgh's hospital stay, as well as Buckingham Palace and members of the royal family dealing with the painful aftermath of Harry and Meghan's interview with Oprah.
The Queen named Fergus after her uncle who died during World War I, and Mick the Corgi after Muick, pronounced Mick at Balmoral Estate.
But the death of five-month-old Fergus shortly after Prince Philip's death left the Queen in mourning.
Fergus was then replaced by a new Corgi, a gift from Andrew and Princess Beatrice and Eugenie for the Queen's official 95th birthday, which the Queen named Sandy.
Angela Kelly, the Queen's grooming guru, said the two puppies had been a source of joy for the Queen during the lockdown.
Mick and Sandy are now in the care of Prince Andrew.
SBS is committed to covering the latest COVID-19 news and information in 60 languages at: sbs.com.au / coronavirus.
Please follow SBS Chinese for more Australian news.
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Published 20 September 2022 at 10: 21am
Source: AAP

Over her lifetime, the Queen owned more than 30 corgis, later including Dorgis—an affectionate corgi-dachshund mix—and other breeds, underscoring her deep devotion.

She famously declared, “My corgis are family,” a sentiment reflected in her hands-on care, including personally preparing their meals and training them with kind but firm discipline.

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.

📣 For more lifestyle news, follow us on Instagram | Twitter | Facebook and don’t miss out on the latest updates!

First published on: 11-09-2022 at 07:10:45 pm
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Susan, in particular, was a notable figure; she accompanied the Queen on the royal honeymoon and appeared in many official photographs, personifying the intimate relationship between the monarch and her dogs.

Her corgis enjoyed distinct royal privileges such as having their own rooms outfitted with elevated wicker baskets, gourmet meals prepared by chefs or the Queen herself, and special training sessions with unwrapped biscuits from her handbag, giving their daily lives a whimsical, noble charm .

The royal family’s special connection to corgis dates back to 1933, when King George VI, Queen Elizabeth II’s father, gifted her the family’s first corgi named Dookie.

Title:

Content: Prince William reassures fan that Queen Elizabeth II’s beloved corgis are ‘fine’

As Prince William surprised mourners waiting outside Westminster Hall to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II on Saturday, one had a pressing question on her mind: How are the late Queen’s beloved corgis faring?

“I saw them the other day,” the recently anointed Prince of Wales, 40, said in response.

“They’re being looked after fine. They’re two very friendly corgis. They’ve got a good home, they’re being looked after very well.”

The woman looked rather relieved to hear this, offering her condolences to William before he continued down the line.

It’s widely known that Queen Elizabeth harbored a lifelong adoration for the dog breed.

When she died on Sept. 8 at the age of 96, she left two of them behind: Muick and Sandy, along with a cocker spaniel named Lissy. Another one of her much-loved pups, an elderly dachshund-corgi mix named Candy, reportedly passed away just months before the Queen‘s death.

As Prince William alluded, Muick and Sandy have already safely moved in with Prince Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson – with whom he still cohabitates – at their shared residence in Windsor. Meanwhile, Lissy is reportedly staying with her trainer, per E!.

As previously reported, it was back in 1933 when Queen Elizabeth II received her first corgi, Dookie. The pooch was gifted to the then-7-year-old by her father, George VI.

The late Queen Elizabeth II owned more than 30 corgis throughout her life, getting her first one in 1933 at age 7.

Getty Images

The late Queen Elizabeth II owned more than 30 corgis throughout her life, getting her first one in 1933 at age 7.

Getty Images

The late Queen Elizabeth II owned more than 30 corgis throughout her life, getting her first one in 1933 at age 7.

Getty Images

The late Queen Elizabeth II owned more than 30 corgis throughout her life, getting her first one in 1933 at age 7.

Bettmann Archive

The late Queen Elizabeth II owned more than 30 corgis throughout her life, getting her first one in 1933 at age 7.

Bettmann Archive

The late Queen Elizabeth II owned more than 30 corgis throughout her life, getting her first one in 1933 at age 7.

Getty Images

The late Queen Elizabeth II owned more than 30 corgis throughout her life, getting her first one in 1933 at age 7.

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Then, on the Queen’s 18th birthday in 1944, her parents gave her another corgi-pup, this one named Susan.

It’s been reported that, of the more than 30 corgis Queen Elizabeth was said to have owned over her lifetime, many were Susan’s descendants. The lineage sadly ended in 2015, however, when her last living progeny, Willow, died at the age of 15.

The Duke and Duchess of York brought Muick – along with another pooch named Fergus who tragically succumbed to a congenital heart defect very shortly thereafter – into the Queen’s life in March of 2021 to cheer her up in light of her late husband Prince Philip’s declining health. The late Duke of Edinburgh died at the age of 99 that April.

From there, Sandy found her way to Buckingham Palace on the occasion of the Queen’s 95th birthday.

She seemed to have no problem fitting right into the royal lifestyle, easily making her way into the monarch’s heart after the loss of her husband.

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi breed itself traces its origins to Wales, around 1107 AD.

Known as “Dwarf Dogs” because of their short stature, these cleverly agile herders nipped at cattle heels to move livestock without injury.

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Content: Skip to main content
ABC Rural

Corgis bred for herding livestock long before Queen Elizabeth II made them famous

By Sophie Johnson
Posted

While corgis are synonymous with the late Queen Elizabeth II, it might be a surprise to know the tiny breed is still used as a working dog in Australia.

The Queen had 30 corgis as pets over her lifetime, giving the breed its international recognition.

But the dog has been used for centuries to herd livestock.

Jean Milnes herds south of Adelaide with her female corgi, Tirion.

"[Corgis] have been herding since the Middle Ages at least, there is documentary evidence of them herding back in about 800AD," she said.

"I just got into it because I thought this would be fun to do to see if she could remember what her ancestors used to do."

Exercising instincts

There are few corgi herders in Australia now, but Ms Milne is hoping the popularity will boom after the death of the Queen, returning the breed to its farming roots.

"I still have the conversation with people who think corgis are wonderful, associate them with being the Queen's dog, and don't realise that they actually have a job to do," Ms Milnes said.

"There is ... going to be an influx of people wanting corgis for the next year or so, and it would be nice if they did something more than just go to the dog park."

Her corgi trains for herding competitions.

"We should be doing things that … dogs enjoy as well," she said.

"They need to be given the opportunity to achieve things.

"I think it is very important in any breed to maintain what they were intended to do."

Big brain, little legs

National Welsh Corgi Council secretary Sadie Podger said the dogs were very intelligent, which was needed when herding animals.

"Years ago … the farmers found that these dogs are actually quite smart and adapt to their conditions that they're in and found that they were the better of all the cattle type dogs that they had," she said.

Ms Podger said corgis were known as herd heelers because they could nip the rear legs of livestock to guide and direct the animal.

"When they herd they can roll from one side … of the cattle to the other side with that, and then sort of directing the cattle to where they want it, because cattle can be quite stubborn."

"They're low to the ground so they can drop their head a little bit, and basically the hoof goes over the top of their head where a taller dog could get hit in the head."

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This demanding task showcased their intelligence, energy, and loyalty—traits that resonated with the Queen and endeared corgis to the royal household.

Their distinctive appearance—short legs, long bodies, large, alert ears—became iconic, matching British royalty’s elegance and charm .

Queen Elizabeth II’s dedication to breeding, raising, and personally caring for her corgis significantly boosted their global fame.

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The Queen of England has raised more than 30 dogs for her loyal Corgi fans who have appeared in the Olympic Games and 007 in the same frame [shadow]
2022 / 9 / 9 17: 33 (Updated on 9 / 9 18: 16)
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Queen Elizabeth II loved dogs, but she stopped keeping them in her 90s because she didn ’ t want them to become orphans after she died.
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The most loyal public servant of Queen Elizabeth II should belong to her Corgi.
These puppies have been at the Queen ’ s feet for generations, accompanying her for nearly a century, and the Queen has raised more than 30 Corgi in her lifetime.
The combination of the Queen and the Corgi is as natural as the British drink tea and cake, making the little-known breed known around the world.
This brown puppy with pointy ears bustled around the Buckingham Palace, following the Queen from room to room and appearing in official photographs.
In the 2012 London Olympics opening video, the puppies even performed as part of the show.
In the film, the Queen of England leaves Buckingham Palace accompanied by Daniel Craig's 007 agent and climbs into a helicopter, leaving behind her Corgi dogs Holly, Monty and Willow.
Image source: Olympics
As a child, the Queen loved the Corgi.
When she was seven years old in 1933, little Elizabeth visited the home of a friend who had a dog and wanted to have one. Her father, George VI, gave her her first dog, Dookie.
However, the royal Corgi family, which has been with the Queen for more than 70 years, originated in 1944 when King George VI gave her her Corgi, Susan, on the Queen ’ s 18th birthday.
Even as the Queen went on her honeymoon and ascended to the throne at the age of 25, Susan accompanied her.
She loves Susan so much, and the Corky dogs she keeps are all descendants of Susan.
The Queen stopped keeping Corgi in her 90s because she didn ’ t want the puppy to become an orphan after her death. In 2018, her last Corgi dog, Vero, died.
Despite this, in the last moments of her life, the Queen was accompanied by two "Dachshund" dogs, mixed with the Koki.
One of the puppies, Vulcan, died in 2020.
But in March 2021, it was rumored that the Queen had two more Corgi puppies.
The royal family was battling a series of crises, including the Queen ’ s husband, Prince Philip, who was in declining health at the time.
The two Corgi are said to have been with the Queen when she moved to quarantine at Windsor Castle in the western suburbs of London during the outbreak.
Royal writer Penny Junor told The Sun that the dogs loved the Queen very much and never disappointed her.
She said, “Of course, the Corgi won ’ t go to Los Angeles for an interview. ”
She was referring to Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, who spat bitterly during an interview with the famous Oprah Winfrey, accusing the royal family of racism and not supporting them.
According to Brian Hoey, author of Pets by Royal Appointment, the Queen loves her Corgi so much that she prepares her own food for them.
Every day at 5 p.m., the servant prepares the dog ’ s filet steak and chicken breast for dinner, and the Queen personally waters the gravy.
However, not everyone in the royal family loves dogs.
According to Hoy, the Queen ’ s husband reportedly doesn ’ t like the stumbling, short-legged puppies because they bark too much.
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40 years ago, the Queen visited the United States in a storm: Bringing the British rain tradition to California

She maintained 14 generations descended from Susan and kept close bonds with her dogs throughout her reign.

This royal patronage caused a surge in Pembroke Welsh Corgi registrations, reaching a 30-year peak first after the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and again following her death in 2022.

These increases reflected both widespread affection for the Queen and renewed public enthusiasm for corgis as symbols of loyalty and British heritage.

Corgis featured prominently in British culture, including the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony and films like the James Bond series, which included nods to the Queen’s dogs to amplify British pride.

Community celebrations such as the annual “Tour de Corgi” further honor this legacy, featuring costume contests and festivities celebrating the breed’s regal status and spirited personality .

Corgis’ royal association has also made them popular figures in children’s literature and animation.

They appear in books like Vivian French’s *Wiggle and Waggle* and star in animated films such as Disney’s *The Queen’s Corgi* (2019), which portrays corgis as lively, loyal characters inspired by the Queen’s own dogs.

These portrayals enhance corgis’ image among younger audiences, helping to embed their charm and heritage in global culture.

Their distinct looks, combined with the idea of royal companionship, create memorable, endearing characters that capture children’s imagination worldwide .

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Content:

Prince William and Kate's 22 royal parenting tricks for Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis

From date nights to playing outdoors...

The Prince and Princess of Wales might be royal, but they are raising their children just like any other parents. From spending quality time with grandparents to enjoying outdoor sports, these royal tots certainly have a special upbringing!

READ: Princess Kate's must-have 'comfortable' parenting item revealed

Life as a royal parent looks busy, to say the least - keeping up with public engagements, tours abroad and then the normal mum and dad duties at home. Prince William and Kate certainly have their hands full with Prince George, nine, Princess Charlotte, seven, and four-year-old Prince Louis.

Let's take a look at the couple's parenting style...

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WATCH: Princess Kate gets the giggles thanks to Prince William

Date night is important

William and Kate are rarely apart from their children, especially the Princess who took her longest maternity leave with Louis for six months until autumn 2018. But factoring in some 'alone time' is also very important! The couple went on their first holiday as a family of five in summer 2018, visiting the private island of Mustique.

During their fun-filled stay, William and Kate managed to take a night off parenting duty and attend a gold-themed party. The Splash of Gold bash was held at Basil's Bar. Fellow revellers revealed to HELLO! that William and Kate attended "on the early side" and looked to be having a great time.

Sources said they dressed "island chic" with Prince William sporting a Pinkhouse Mustique shirt to support the local brand. "They were there for the cocktails segment and kept it rather classy," the source said.

READ: William and Kate's love story in pictures, starting with their university days

Letting their children make their own choices

When William appeared on That Peter Crouch Podcast in July 2020, he was asked whether he had to persuade George to become an Aston Villa fan like him. He said: “I'm trying not to persuade him to be a Villa fan – I'm letting him choose his own way. It’s about finding what fits for him."

He added: “Previously I was a bit concerned about him supporting Chelsea, but now Frank’s come in I feel the culture's a bit different at Chelsea and I’d be ok with it. I do like the values and the ethos of the club. I want them to look after the players and set a good example to the young fans. I want our children, when they go to the match, to come away loving what they've seen, enjoying it and seeing their role models behave in a way that we'd all want them to."

Quality time with grandparents

Kate is very close to her parents Carole and Michael Middleton and the Cambridges often stay with them in Bucklebury, West Berkshire. Businesswoman Carole revealed in an interview in December 2018, that she has as many trees in her house as possible, including in the grandchildrens' rooms: "so that they can decorate it themselves."

The Middletons were also on hand to look after George, Charlotte and Louis when their parents competed against one another at the King's Cup sailing regatta and while they were on their royal tour of Pakistan in October 2019.

MORE: 8 times Prince George proved he's a mummy's boy

MORE: Princess Kate's birth stories of her children George, Charlotte and Louis

Show good sportsmanship

Royal fans were delighted when William and Kate took George and Charlotte to watch their first football match Norwich City vs Aston Villa in October 2019. The young prince couldn't contain his excitement and punched the air when his dad's team Aston Villa won 5-1 and while William couldn't hide his joy when the Villans were promoted to the Premier League, he was a little more subdued at that match.

Fans on Twitter believe the Duke told his over-excited son to 'calm down' as Aston Villa netted their fourth goal, but there was a good reason behind it. The Cambridges were sitting in the South Stand at Norwich's Carrow Road football ground, among the losing home fans.

The Duke later spoke about the children's first game in the BBC documentary, Football, Prince William and Our Mental Health. William said he "enjoyed a good weekend of football," during a meeting with the heads of the Football Association, the English Football League and the Premier League at Kensington Palace. When one commented on the Cambridges celebrating Aston Villa's win, William added: "I wasn't celebrating, that was the problem, I was sitting with the home fans. George did my bit of celebrating for me."

MORE: Prince George and Princess Charlotte's cutest royal tour moments in photos

Join the Scouts

During a visit to the Scouts' headquarters in Gilwell Park, Essex, Kate revealed that she would like her children to join the organisation.

The mother-of-three learnt about a new pilot scheme to bring Scouting to younger children, and after the engagement, teenage Scout Tahseen Patel revealed: "She was interested in the early years and how you learn things in Scouting that you don't learn in school and elsewhere. And how she wants her children to grow up in the Scouting movement, not just in school, because she tries doing things at home but there's only so much you can do and you need to build relationships with other people." Asked if Prince George had joined the Scouts, Tahseen added: "He hasn't yet, but she said she'd love him to."

MORE: Gorgeous George! 23 of the cutest photos of the Prince through the years

It's OK to ask for help

They are more privileged than most families, but even royals need help. When George was around six months old, Prince William and Kate hired a nanny, Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo, to help them at home. Maria has since stayed on and has cared for Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, often taking the children to school and going on outings to the park.

William and Kate have also found tremendous support in their parents, especially the Princess' mum Carole Middleton. When the couple first had George, they spent six weeks at the Middletons' family home in Berkshire where Carole showed her daughter the ropes.

Hugs are important

Kate has spoken out about the importance of affection, and how "hugs are very important," after she was greeted by one fan, Janet Emery, during an engagement at Basildon Sporting Centre. Janet went over to hug the then-Duchess as she came to greet her, and as Kate embraced her, she told her: "Hugs are very important. That's what I tell my children."

MORE: 13 photos which prove Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis have the closest bond

MORE: The cutest photos of royal children with their beloved nannies

Children should spend a lot of time with their cousins

The Wales children are often reunited with their cousins Savannah and Isla Phillips. After Trooping the Colour, the young royals were seen playing with each other at the Maserati Royal Charity Polo Trophy. Savannah, the daughter of Peter and Autumn Phillips, was seen keeping a watchful eye over little Charlotte.

MORE: How Savannah Phillips stole the show at Trooping the Colour

Screen time is allowed

Yes, even royals use the iPad to entertain the kids and keep them quiet on long flights! Prince William told Radio 1 that the family watches a lot of children’s programmes - George was a huge fan of Peppa Pig, but then moved on to Fireman Sam. And George expects mum and dad to watch the shows with him. "You have to pretend you're really interested in it because George gets very upset if you're not showing due diligence to the characters," William said.

READ: Kate Middleton's daily diet: the Duchess' breakfast, lunch and dinner revealed

Being outdoors is best

In an open letter to support Children's Hospice Week, published in May 2018, Kate revealed how she cherishes "simple family moments" with her children, such as "playing outside together." She wrote: "Spending quality time together is such an important aspect of family life and for me, as a mother, it is the simple family moments like playing outside together that I cherish."

Kate does the arts and crafts — but William tries to take the credit

The Princess of Wales has an undergraduate degree in history of art, so it's no surprise she’s passing her love for art on to her kids. Kate does a lot of crafts with her little ones and even gives their creations to a certain special lady. William told Radio 1 that George and Charlotte made handmade gifts for their Gan-Gan, the late Queen, for her 91st birthday. But Kate was quick to quip, "Are you taking credit for the arts and crafts?" William, looking quite sheepish, said: "This is putting the marriage on the line."

Crafting with kids is definitely messy, but Kate doesn't seem to mind. Along with crafts, she often bakes with George and Charlotte. In August 2016, while in Luton, Kate met teenagers who were making chocolate crispy cakes. She told them: "When I try to do this with George at home, chocolate and the golden syrup goes everywhere. George makes so much mess. It’s chaos."

They want their kids to be cultured

If you visit the Natural History Museum in London, you might run into Kate and the kids. She has taken George on numerous trips to the museum to see all the exhibits. In July 2016, during an official visit to the museum, Kate told a guest: "George loves three-dimensional sculptures. He does come here quite often."

But don't worry, he's still a typical kid. George was once more interested in the pigeons outside the museum than all the amazing artwork inside.

Their home is an "open" place

The British royals are known for their stiff upper lip and 'keep calm and carry on' attitude. But the couple launched their Heads Together campaign with Prince Harry in 2016 to encourage people to talk about their mental health.

"Catherine and I are clear that we want both George and Charlotte to grow up feeling able to talk about their emotions and feelings," Prince William told CALM magazine at the time.

The internet is their mummy's friend

Who hasn't turned to an online forum to unload their worries? "Should she be walking yet? Why won't he sleep at night?" Kate is no different. She has reportedly used a pseudonym to post questions on sites like Mumsnet and Babycentre on issues she and William differ on - like cartoons before bed.

MORE: Princess Kate's family album: see photos of George, Charlotte and Louis

You'll see them at the school gates

Kate wants George, Charlotte and Louis to have a normal school experience like she did, which means she does the school run as much as possible.

Photo: The Princess of Wales

Bring on the activities

The royal couple are pretty active: they sail, they play football, they ski, and they're passing that love of fitness on to their kids. At their former home, Kensington Palace, you may have spotted George racing around on his scooter, with a helmet on, of course. "He goes super fast on it. It’s hard to keep up with him," Kate once said.

George also enjoys fencing (now that's a princely activity!) and football, alhough William admitted that Charlotte is the more skilled footballer. "George is sort of getting into it slowly, but Charlotte is showing more aptitude," the proud dad explained. Charlotte is also a keen horseback rider, just like her late great-grandmother the Queen.

Some rules are meant to be broken

William and Kate aren't above breaking some rules. For the first few months of George's life, the couple didn't have a royal nanny. Instead, Kate's mum, Carole, helped them adjust to parenthood. And George didn't even spend his first few weeks in a palace or castle! The new family of three stayed at Kate's family home in Bucklebury.

The most notable tradition Kate and William have broken is sending George to two co-educational schools: first Thomas's Battersea school and then Lambrook, close to their new home in Windsor, along with both his siblings.

William and Harry both attended Wetherby School, which is an all-boys institution near Kensington Palace. William and Kate are clearly trying to give their kids a very normal upbringing.

GALLERY: Prince William's cutest dad moments

Wild is good

The whole world is watching how William and Kate are raising their kids, but the pair don't seem concerned about making sure their kids are perfectly-behaved at all times. In fact, they welcome their wild personalities.

Kate has admitted that Charlotte rules the roost at home and hilariously once told guests at Buckingham Palace that she didn't bring Charlotte because she would be "running riot." In 2016, William told rugby players that his kids are "Running around, pushing things, jumping. Please tell me it gets easier?" And of course, little Louis' facial expressions during the Queen's Platinum Jubilee delighted royal watchers!

Privacy is key

The couple are fiercely protective of their children and even issued a letter to the media in 2015, asking them to respect their privacy.

"They want both children to be free to play in public and semi-public spaces with other children without being photographed," a statement from Kensington Palace read. It's understandable that the couple were upset after paparazzi were seen following George and his nanny, going as far as hiding in cars to get photos of the young Prince.

In 2019, the couple planted 40-foot hedges in front of Kensington Palace so that George, Charlotte and Louis could play outside without anyone being able to see them through the gate. At Anmer Hall, the family's country estate, there is a no-fly zone, so helicopters can't take photos of the children. Like all parents, William and Kate do enjoy publicly sharing adorable photos of their kids, but they only do it on big occasions like birthdays or christenings.

Being messy is good

Just before going on maternity leave before the birth of Prince Louis in 2018, Kate revealed that her children love making pizza. Kate was visiting St Luke's Community Centre where she helped prepare food for their upcoming Commonwealth Big Lunch.

Speaking to a member, Yolanda from Bolivia, Kate said: "I've done that with George and Charlotte – making pizza dough. They love it because they can get their hands messy." Turning to an interpreter, she continued: "I was just saying how I really enjoy making pizza dough with George and Charlotte because they like getting their hands messy."

Charity work is important

The Princess of Wales has said that her charity work has influenced her parenting style. While talking at the Royal Foundation Forum with husband Prince William, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Kate said: "You can't help but reflect on your own life and it's definitely had an impact on how sort of I look at how I mother, how we work as a family and you know, how we hope to bring up our children."

The more, the merrier

The Cambridge household is pet-friendly (despite the fact that there are many priceless heirlooms around). Before George was born, William and Kate got their dog, Lupo, an English cocker spaniel, who became a beloved member of the family. Sadly, Lupo died in 2020, with the royals sharing a heartfelt tribute announcing the news.

In May 2022, though, the family released a series photos in honour of Princess Charlotte's birthday that featured their new cocker spaniel Orla, who has since been spotted on family outings.

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Whimsical and heartwarming stories abound about the Queen’s corgis, illustrating their role as cherished family members and companions.

The Queen was known to train her dogs with unwrapped biscuits from her handbag, enchanting them into obedience much like a circus trainer might charm performers.

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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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Another famous royal corgi, Willow, appeared frequently alongside the Queen in recent years, including at public events and providing emotional comfort during difficult periods such as the Duke of Edinburgh’s illness.

The dogs often accompanied her on tours and were fixtures at personal and public royal occasions, emphasizing their role as loyal confidants and ambassadors of a playful yet dignified royal tradition .

The legacy of the Queen’s corgis continues through their ongoing care by royal family members and through popular cultural remembrance.

Following the Queen’s passing, her remaining corgis remain cherished and cared for within the royal household, preserving the intimate bond she fostered.

Public events such as the “Tour de Corgi” have grown in prominence, celebrating the joyful spirit and royal heritage of these dogs through festive gatherings and charity activities.

This enduring admiration evidences how the Queen’s lifelong devotion shaped the breed’s identity as a beloved symbol of warmth, loyalty, and tradition in Britain and beyond .

In summary, the magical bond between Queen Elizabeth II and her corgis offers a rich and whimsical portrait of royal life, blending dignity with affection.

The intimate glimpses into their daily lives, training, and companionship provide ideal material for children’s animated storytelling centered on themes of family, friendship, and belonging within the royal household.

The story of a corgi dreaming of joining the palace is thereby filled with heart, tradition, and royal magic—perfectly suited to inspire young audiences with timeless messages of loyalty, joy, and discovery .