Queen Elizabeth II’s lifelong affection for corgis established a unique and enduring bond between the British royal family and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi breed, transforming corgis into global cultural icons.

The Queen’s relationship with corgis began in childhood when she received her first corgi, Dookie, as a gift from her father, King George VI, in 1933 at age seven .

On her 18th birthday in 1944, she was given Susan, who became the matriarch of a royal corgi lineage spanning 14 generations .

Over her lifetime, Queen Elizabeth II owned more than 30 corgis and dorgis, most descended from Susan .

At her death, she had four dogs, including two Pembroke Welsh Corgis .

The Queen’s corgis were treated as family, receiving exceptional care and luxury.

They had their own rooms at Buckingham Palace, complete with raised wicker beds and fresh sheets .

Their meals, prepared by chefs, included fillet steak, chicken breast, rice, and vegetables, served in fine dishes .

The Queen’s indulgence and affection for her corgis, who were never harshly disciplined, reinforced their status as cherished companions .

This royal connection elevated corgis in media and popular culture.

The Queen’s corgis frequently appeared in royal photographs, public outings, and even at her funeral, symbolizing loyalty and the deep emotional bond she shared with them .

Media tributes, such as the Queen’s sketch with Paddington Bear during her Jubilee and corgi images projected over Buckingham Palace, further cemented their iconic status .

Corgis have also featured in children’s literature and cultural events like the “Tour de Corgi

Queen Elizabeth II’s lifelong affection for corgis established a unique and enduring bond between the British royal family and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi breed, transforming corgis into global cultural icons.

The Queen’s relationship with corgis began in childhood when she received her first corgi, Dookie, as a gift from her father, King George VI, in 1933 at age seven .

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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."

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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.

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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On her 18th birthday in 1944, she was given Susan, who became the matriarch of a royal corgi lineage spanning 14 generations .

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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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Over her lifetime, Queen Elizabeth II owned more than 30 corgis and dorgis, most descended from Susan .

At her death, she had four dogs, including two Pembroke Welsh Corgis .

Title:

Content: 70 facts in honour of HM Queen Elizabeth II’s 70 years on the throne

70 facts in honour of HM Elizabeth II's 70 years on the throne. Credit Royal Family Twitter

On 6th February 2022, HM Queen Elizabeth II became the first British monarch in history to achieve the Platinum Jubilee – 70 years of reign and service

In honour of her service here are 70 facts about HM Queen Elizabeth II, as confirmed by the Royal Website

in history to achieve Platinum Jubilee – 70 years of reign and service

1.         2015, September 9, The Queen became the longest-reigning Monarch in British history, even surpassing the reign of her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria.

2.         Her Majesty is the most travelled British Monarch. Within the Commonwealth alone, she has made over 150 visits during her reign.

3.         The Queen has visited over 100 countries as Monarch. She has visited Canada 22 times which is more than any other country in the world. With 14 visits, France is her most visited country in Europe.

4.         Her Majesty’s first solo public engagement (as Princess Elizabeth) was on 21st April 1942, her sixteenth birthday.

5.         The Queen has carried out more than 21,000 engagements over the course of her reign.

6.         Her Majesty has given Royal Assent to approximately 4,000 Acts of Parliament.

7.         The Queen has hosted 112 incoming State Visits to the United Kingdom, including Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia (1954), Emperor Hirohito of Japan (1971), President Lech Walęsa of Poland (1991) and President Barack Obama of the USA (2011).

8.         Her Majesty is currently Patron of over 500 organisations, including over 70 education and training organisations; over 60 sports and recreational organisations; over 30 faith organisations; and over 40 arts and cultural organisations.

9.         The Queen has sent over 300,000 congratulatory cards to people celebrating their 100th birthdays, and over 900,000 messages to couples marking their Diamond (60th) Wedding Anniversaries.

10.       At least 35 countries have issued coinage with the image of The Queen.

11.       Her Majesty has held over 50 ranks and appointments in the British and Commonwealth Armed Services during her lifetime.

12.       The Queen holds the title ‘Defender of the Faith and Supreme Governor of the Church of England’. These titles date back to the reign of King Henry VIII, who was initially granted the title ‘Defender of the Faith’ in 1521, by Pope Leo X.

13.       Her Majesty is a committed Christian and Churchgoer and has often spoken of her faith in her speeches and broadcasts.

14.       The Queen has sat for over 200 official portraits during her reign, the first was in 1933 when she was seven years old and was a portrait painted by Anglo-Hungarian artist Philip Alexius de Laszlo.

15.       The Royal Collection, held in trust by Her Majesty for her successors and the nation, is estimated to have over a million individual pieces, including over 8,000 paintings, 160,000 watercolours, prints and drawings, 200,000 photographs, 300,000 items of decorative art and 200,000 books and manuscripts.

16.       Over 180 garden parties have been held at Buckingham Palace since 1952 and over 1.5 million people have attended a Garden Party during The Queen’s reign.

17.       There have been 14 Presidents of the United States during Her Majesty’s reign, and,  with the exception of President Johnson (1963-9), Her Majesty has met each one.

18.       The Queen has been served by 14 Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom during her reign – her first Prime Minister was Winston Churchill.

19.       Her Majesty has owned more than 30 Corgis and Dorgis during her reign, most of which have been descended from her first Corgi, Susan, who was gifted to her on her eighteenth birthday in 1944.

20.       The Queen travelled on the London Underground for the first time in May 1939 with her governess Marion Crawford and her sister Princess Margaret.

21.       Her Majesty made her first radio broadcast in 1940 when, aged 14, she recorded a message of support for young people affected by the war in Europe, particularly those being evacuated from their homes, on the BBC’s Children’s Hour.

22.       The Queen joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service (the women’s branch of the British Army during the Second World War) in 1945, becoming the first female member of the Royal Family to join the Armed Services as a full-time, active member.

23.       Her Majesty’s first official overseas visit was in 1947 as Princess Elizabeth, when she toured South Africa, Southern Rhodesia (modern-day Zimbabwe) and the British Protectorate of Bechuanaland (Botswana) with King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.

24.       The Queen’s first military appointment was as Colonel of the Grenadier Guards. The appointment was made in February 1942 following the death of her great uncle and Godfather, The Duke of Connaught.

25.       In 1953 Her Majesty made the first Christmas broadcast from overseas, broadcasting live from New Zealand.

26.       The Royal Yacht Britannia was first used by The Queen on May 1 1954.

27.       On 26th March 1976, Her Majesty sent her first email during a visit to the Royal Radar Establishment, Malvern.

28.       In 1986 The Queen became the first British Monarch to visit China.

29.       Her Majesty was the first British Monarch to address the United States House of Congress, on 16th May 1991.

30.       In 1997 The Queen launched Buckingham Palace’s first official website, in 2014 she sent her first tweet and in 2019 published her first Instagram post.

31.       In 2009 Her Majesty witnessed Swan Upping for the first time.  This annual event on the River Thames includes the weighing and measuring of the swans and checks are made on their health and well-being.

32.       The Queen introduced the Elizabeth Cross in 2009.  It was the first medal to which she had put her name. The award was instituted to give special recognition to the families of those who have died on military operations or as a result of terrorism since 1948.

33.       Her Majesty made a State Visit to Ireland in 2011, the first time a reigning British Monarch has visited the country since its separation from the United Kingdom.

34.       In 2013 The Queen became the first Monarch to be presented with an Honorary BAFTA award in recognition of a lifetime’s support of British film and television.

35.       Her Majesty and The Duke of Edinburgh celebrated their Platinum Wedding Anniversary in 2017, the first time a reigning Monarch had done so.

36.       To mark the Diamond Jubilee in 2012, the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant was held on 3rd June 2012. 670 boats took part in the parade on the Tideway of the River Thames, making it the largest ever parade of boats.

37.       The longest overseas tour that The Queen has undertaken began in Bermuda in November 1953 and ended in Gibraltar in May 1954. She was away for 168 days and visited 13 different countries.

38.       The greatest number of countries that Her Majesty has visited in one trip is 14. This was during her 1966 trip to the Caribbean.

39.       In 1966 The Queen presented England football captain Bobby Moore with the World Cup Trophy.  The World Cup Final attracted the largest ever British television audience with 32.3 million viewers.

40.       In September 1966 Her Majesty visited the British Aircraft Corporation’s facilities in Filton, Bristol, and inspected the progress of the Concorde project.  Her Majesty first flew in Concorde in 1977 and went on to use it for several overseas tours before it was retired in 2003.

41.       In 1973 The Queen opened the Sydney Opera House.

42.       Following Her Majesty’s 90th birthday celebrations in 2016, it was agreed that an Award would be created in her name to recognise emerging British fashion talent.

43.       The Queen has met four Popes on official visits during her reign: Pope John XXIII (1961), Pope John Paul II (1980, 1982 and 2000), Pope Benedict XVI (2010) and Pope Francis I (2014).

44.       Her Majesty and The Duke of Edinburgh were married on 20th November 1947 in Westminster Abbey.

45.       The Queen wore two crowns on her Coronation Day:  St Edward’s Crown (which was used for the crowning ceremony) and the Imperial State Crown, which was worn for the return procession and subsequent balcony appearances at Buckingham Palace.

46.       There were more than 2,000 journalists and 500 photographers from 92 nations on the Coronation route in 1953. The Coronation Service was broadcast live on the BBC, enabling millions of people to see their Monarch crowned for the first time.

47.       Prior to its decommissioning in 1997, many of Her Majesty’s official tours were undertaken on the Royal Yacht Britannia. Britannia travelled more than a million miles on Royal and official duties, transporting The Queen to over 700 Royal visits.

48.       Her Majesty has made a Christmas Broadcast to the Commonwealth every year of her reign except in 1969 when a repeat of the film ‘Royal Family’ was shown and a written message from The Queen was issued.

49.       The Queen sent a message of congratulations to Apollo 11 astronauts for the first moon landing on July 21 1969. The message was microfilmed and deposited on the moon in a metal container.

50.       In 2016 Her Majesty and The Duke of Edinburgh sent a message to British astronaut Tim Peake as he joined the International Space Station.

51.       On the evening of the Coronation, The Queen made a radio broadcast in which she stated: “Throughout all my life and with all my heart I shall strive to be worthy of your trust”.

52.       During her reign, Her Majesty has received many gifts including a variety of live animals. The more unusual animals were placed in the care of zoos, among them jaguars and sloths from Brazil, an elephant from Cameroon and two black beavers from Canada.

53.       There has been a Trooping the Colour Parade every year of The Queen’s reign, apart from 1955, which was cancelled due to a railway strike.  In 2020 and 2021 a smaller ceremony took place at Windsor Castle due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

54.       Windsor Castle, currently Her Majesty’s main residence is the oldest and largest occupied palace in the world.

55.       The Queen was born at 2:40.am on 21st April 1926 at 17 Bruton Street in Mayfair, London, and was the first child of The Duke and Duchess of York, who later became King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.

56.       Her Majesty’s first pony was given to her by her grandfather, King George V. The Shetland pony was called Peggy.

57.       As British passports and driving licences are issued in The Queen’s name, she is not required to have either – a privilege held by her alone.

58.       Her Majesty speaks fluent French and has often used the language during audiences and State Visits.

59.       Almost 70 forest conservation projects across the Commonwealth have joined The Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy initiative since its launch in 2015, representing more than 100 million trees preserved for future generations as part of the fight against deforestation.

60.       Sir Winston Churchill, Her Majesty’s first Prime Minister, became a Member of Parliament during the reign of The Queen’s great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria.

61.       The Queen (then Princess Elizabeth) became a Girl Guide In 1937 aged 11, learning how to pitch tents, cook on campfires and administer first aid.

62.       In 1969 The Queen was given a black mare, named Burmese, by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The former Service horse was ridden by Her Majesty for Trooping the Colour for eighteen consecutive years from 1969 to 1986.

63.       Her Majesty, then 11-year-old Princess Elizabeth, attended her parents’ Coronation at Westminster Abbey in 1937 and wrote about it for the King and Queen in an essay entitled, To Mummy and Papa, In Memory of Their Coronation.

64.       The Queen’s Coronation dress was designed by British couturier Sir Norman Hartnell. He submitted nine different designs and Her Majesty accepted the eighth.

65.       Her Majesty’s Coronation ceremony was the first to be broadcast on television, as a result of which people purchased television sets in their millions. 27 million people watched in the UK alone, and television was ushered in as a mainstream medium.

66.       On 8th May 1945, Victory in Europe Day, The Queen (then Princess Elizabeth) and her sister Princess Margaret, aged 19 and 14 respectively, joined the crowds in London incognito, Princess Elizabeth with her ATS uniform cap pulled down over her face. She later said of the day, “I remember lines of unknown people linking arms and walking down Whitehall, all of us just swept along on a tide of happiness and relief”.

67.       The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust has enabled over 100,000 people to have sight-saving surgery; treated over 22 million people with antibiotics to reduce the spread of trachoma; built or upgraded over 81,000 latrines and washing facilities to prevent the spread of infection; screened over 13,000 babies for retinopathy of prematurity, and screened over 200,000 people for diabetic retinopathy.

68.       Her Majesty has conducted over 650 investitures throughout her reign.

69.       The Queen has awarded the George Cross – given for “acts of the greatest heroism or of the most courage in circumstances of extreme danger” – collectively to just two groups over the course of her reign: officers and families of the Royal Ulster Constabulary for their bravery during the Troubles in Northern Ireland and, most recently, to NHS staff for their work during the Coronavirus pandemic.

70.       As part of the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony, secret agent James Bond escorted The Queen from Buckingham Palace to the Olympic Stadium by helicopter before they both parachuted into the event.

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The Queen’s corgis were treated as family, receiving exceptional care and luxury.

They had their own rooms at Buckingham Palace, complete with raised wicker beds and fresh sheets .

Title:

Content: Mourning corgis, an iconic salute: What you missed from the Queen’s funeral

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Mourning corgis, an iconic salute: What you missed from the Queen’s funeral

By Julia Naughton

Queen Elizabeth II’s final farewell stretched for more than 12 hours with two separate services taking place before she was laid to rest in a private burial at Windsor.

In an event unlike anything ever witnessed in modern history, the day was replete with pageantry and symbolism bringing closure to the monarch’s 70-year reign.

Here’s what you may have missed.

A moving handwritten note

As the Queen’s coffin processed through Westminster Abbey followed by the King, the Prince and Princess of Wales, their children Prince George and Princess Charlotte, and other royal family members, a handwritten note could be seen atop the wreath of flowers.

The black handwriting read: “In loving and devoted memory, Charles R.” Charles R is Charles Rex, the King’s new signature. Rex is Latin for king. The note was edged in black, which follows the mourning rituals of the royal family.

The card is reminiscent of the note left by Princes William and Harry on the coffin of their mother, Diana, in 1997. It read simply: “Mummy.”

Pearls, pearls, pearls

In a tribute to the late Queen, the Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Sussex accessorised with pearl jewellery. Pearls are traditionally worn by royals in mourning because of their quiet elegance.

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Catherine’s Bahrain pearl drop earrings and four-strand pearl and diamond choker were borrowed from the Queen’s jewellery collection, reports British Vogue.

She previously wore the necklace to the Queen and Prince Philip’s diamond wedding anniversary in 2017 and to the funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh in April 2021. In 1982, Princess Diana also borrowed the piece.

Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex’s pearl earrings were a gift from the Queen after her marriage to Prince Harry in 2018.

A spectacular salute

As the procession moved past the Cenotaph in London, King Charles III and his elder son, the Prince of Wales, saluted the UK’s national war memorial – a moment that’s sure to become an iconic image of the day.

In another poignant family moment earlier in the day, Prince George and Princess Charlotte followed the Queen’s coffin alongside their parents and other members of the royal family as it was processed through Westminster Abbey.

The Long Walk like you’ve never seen it

As the hearse made its final journey to Windsor Castle for the committal service at St George’s Chapel, crowds of people filled the Long Walk for as far as the eye could see.

Also watching from afar was the Queen’s favourite pony, Emma. Pipes and drums sounded as the late monarch approached her final resting place.

The loyalest of subjects say goodbye

When the procession arrived in the quadrangle at Windsor, two of the Queen’s corgis, Sandy and Muick, were waiting to say their final goodbye.

After the Queen’s death, it was announced that Sarah, Duchess of York and Prince Andrew would adopt the dogs and live with them at Royal Lodge.

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Content: It's no secret that Queen Elizabeth is a huge dog lover, so it comes as no surprise that her pet pooches live very lavish lifestyles.

Her Majesty, 95, has taken care of numerous dogs throughout her 70-year reign, and she is currently the owner of two corgis, a dorgi called Candy, and a cocker spaniel named Lissy.

The Queen's pet corgis have been a constant throughout her time on the throne, and it's believed that she's had around 30 dogs throughout her lifetime.

Like any other dog owner, the Queen wants the very best for her pet pooches and that includes a tailored menu, special travel arrangements, and a specific feeding ritual.

Here we take a peek into the lives of Her Majesty's pampered pooches...

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Tailored menu

It's no secret that members of the royal household have their own weekly menus and that also includes the Queen's pet dogs, too.

Her Majesty is very particular about what her pet dogs eat and she reportedly insists that they have their own personal menus.

Former royal chef Darren McGrady revealed what the pooches' diet entails, saying: "The corgis have their own menu. One day they'll have lamb, one day beef and then another, chicken."

He also added: "We had to make sure that all the meat was cut very finely and diced so there were no bones because we couldn't have them choking."

The Queen has also created her own special gravy recipe, specifically for her beloved pups.

In the book All The Queen's Corgis, author Penny Junor explained the dogs' diets consists of a "variety of fresh, cooked meat, vegetables and rice, prepared specially for them in the royal kitchens, topped with a little biscuit, homoeopathic and herbal remedies when required, and a special gravy that, legend has it, is the Queen's own recipe".

Feeding routine

It's not just their meals which are specially prepared, as the dogs also have a strict feeding ritual.

Animal psychologist Dr Roger Mugford previously worked for Her Majesty, and has opened up about the pooches meal times at Buckingham Palace.

Speaking to Town and Country magazine, he said: "Their food was served by a butler in an eclectic collection of battered silver and porcelain dishes.

"As I watched, the Queen got the corgis to sit in a semi-circle around her, and then fed them one by one, in order of seniority. The others just sat and patiently waited their turn."

Author Penny Junor also wrote in her book, All The Queen's Corgis: "Whenever possible, she [the Queen] feeds them herself and it is an afternoon ritual; but not an unruly frantic free-for-all.

"A footman brings the food and bowls on a silver tray and lays out a plastic sheet to protect the carpet.

"The Queen then sits them in a semi-circle around her and does the rest."

Travelling

The Queen regularly has to travel, but her beloved pooches are never left behind.

She ensures they also travel in style, with previous photographs showing her pets sitting on her lap while travelling in the car.

Her dogs have also been spotted at airports with her, and were once seen at Aberdeen Airport preparing to head off to the Balmoral estate, located in the Scottish Highlands.

Sleeping arrangements

As well as tailored menus and lavish travel arrangements, the Queen's pet dogs also have their very own quarters at the palace.

The dogs reportedly have their own spacious room where they sleep in luxurious raised wicker beds.

And that's not all, as their beds also have fresh sheets put on them daily – a tradition which was first started by the Queen Mother.

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Their meals, prepared by chefs, included fillet steak, chicken breast, rice, and vegetables, served in fine dishes .

The Queen’s indulgence and affection for her corgis, who were never harshly disciplined, reinforced their status as cherished companions .

This royal connection elevated corgis in media and popular culture.

The Queen’s corgis frequently appeared in royal photographs, public outings, and even at her funeral, symbolizing loyalty and the deep emotional bond she shared with them .

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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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Media tributes, such as the Queen’s sketch with Paddington Bear during her Jubilee and corgi images projected over Buckingham Palace, further cemented their iconic status .

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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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Content: A Paddington Bear fan has had other mourners in tears over a touching tribute for the Queen.

After the death of Her Majesty, on Thursday September 8, millions of people have flocked to London and Scotland to pay their respects to England's longest-reigning monarch. Queen Elizabeth died peacefully at Balmoral Palace in Scotland.

From Buckingham Palace and Balmoral to Windsor Castle and St James's Palace, royal fans have laid tributes and a sea of flowers has flooded the gates of royal residences in recent days. Handcrafted gifts, flower bouquets and hand-written letters are among the troves of tributes.

READ MORE: King Charles' message to William, Harry, Kate and Meghan as he addresses nation

But one touching tribute really stood out for being "simple but beautiful" and had other mourners in tears. A marmalade sandwich wrapped in plastic, marked with the words "for later", gave a nod to the wonderful relationship that the Queen had with fictional bear Paddington.

The text echoed what Paddington Bear would have said to the Queen when they both featured in a special sketch for her Jubilee celebrations in June. The heart-warming skit saw Her Majesty in conversation with the animated bear as it shared a peek at the Queen's humorous side.

In the sketch, which was shared across the world, the longest-reigning monarch joked to the beloved bear that she liked to keep marmalade sandwiches in her handbag. She then pulled one out to prove it.

Broadcaster Simon McCoy snapped an image of the tribute and posted it to Twitter. He captioned it: "From Paddington... #TheQueen."

The post has since been liked more than 27,000 times and retweeted more than 2,500 times. Fans commented on how moved they were by the gesture and shared emotional comments.

Gail said: "This bought tears to my eyes again." Elaine said: "This photo and the one of the corgis being carried off the plane have finished me."

Jayne said: "Some people are really thoughtful in their tributes, I love this." Another person said: "What a beautiful, simple and wonderful tribute".

Meanwhile, Rose said: "Oh bloody hell, you set me off again. The video of the Queen and Paddington will never be forgotten, it's a real treasure to keep. R.I.P Queen."

Comments have been turned off for this article but you can leave your tribute to Queen Elizabeth II in this online memorial .

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Corgis have also featured in children’s literature and cultural events like the “Tour de Corgi