(Written by Georgia Hatton)

 

A week ago the world was rocked by the news that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II had passed away at her Scottish residence at Balmoral aged 96 years.

 

For her 18th birthday, the then-princess Elizabeth was given Susan - a pembroke welsh corgi - and the first of a 14 generation line that would see the Queen owning over 30 of them - the last of which, Willow, passed away in 2018. In 2015 it was reported that the Queen would stop breeding corgis as she did not wish for any to survive in the event of her death. This saw a gradual decrease in the number of dogs in the royal household.

 

 

 

After 3 corgi-less years, the queen and her single surviving dog, a dorgi (dachshund/corgi cross) Candy were joined by Muick and Fergus the corgi puppies in 2020. Unfortunately, Fergus passed away aged 5 months from a congenital heart condition, and this led to the arrival of another corgi puppy, Sandy, in April 2021. In addition to this, the Queen was the owner of a champion working cocker spaniel called Lissy, who lives and works with a local trainer. 

 

The royal dogs lived a life of luxury, expected of as the royal pets - with standards set down by the Queen Mother. They had their own room, with elevated wicker baskets - to ensure the dogs weren’t sleeping in a draught - and a menu which included meals cooked by a chef, such as fillet steak and chicken breast.

 

Despite their pampered life the corgis were still dogs - and there were a number of incidents involving them, including nipping the postman!

 

 

 

Throughout the years, the dogs were a frequent sight, appearing on many different official photographs and at different royal engagements.

 

In the sketch with Daniel Craig for the opening of the 2012 Olympic Games in London, Corgis Monty, Holly and Willow all make a brief appearance, following their mistress through the palace.

After the Queen’s sudden death on 8th September, the question arose of what would happen to her beloved dogs.

 

Lissy is reported to be staying with her trainer.

 

As the corgi’s Muick and Sandy were gifts from her son, Prince Andrew, and granddaughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, they will be moving into the Royal Lodge, at the Windsor estate.

 

It is believed that 13 year old Dorgi Candy will be moving in as well, as she is used to the presence of the younger dogs, although no official announcement has been made.

 

Buckingham Palace, however, won’t be dogless for long. When King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla move in, they will be taking with them their pair of Jack Russell Terriers Beth and Bluebell. Unlike the long established, noble lineages of the corgis, these have a muddier past as both were rehomed by Battersea Dogs Home.