The Queen has reportedly stopped breeding corgis, her dog of choice, because Her Majesty doesn’t want to leave any behind after she dies.
Holly and Willow are Her Majesty’s current corgis, along with two Dorgis (daschund-corgi cross), Candy and Vulcan, and it seems she will not be replacing them when they pass.
Many will remember The Queen’s James Bond sketch for the London 2012 Olympics: James Bond (Daniel Craig) sauntered about Buckingham Palace in search of Her Majesty, and was followed by corgis. Monty, featured in the sketch, passed away last year, leaving The Queen heartbroken.
It has been said that because of her devastation, the Head of State has decided against introducing any new dogs to Buckingham Palace, and also has stopped breeding. Monty Roberts, an adviser to The Queen told Vanity Fair: “She didn’t want to leave any young dog behind. She wanted to put an end to it.”
The 89-year-old Monarch is recognised the world over for her dogs, having been first gifted a corgi named Susan for her 18th birthday. When Princess Elizabeth ventured on her honeymoon with husband The Duke of Edinburgh in 1947, Susan accompanied them, and the animals have been loyal companions to Her Majesty ever since.
Many portraits and pictures can be found of The Queen with her canine companions and the dogs are allowed free rein of the Palace. Guests must not grumble about them, even if they bark, bite or otherwise pester them – Her Majesty’s dogs are her pride and joy.
The Pembroke Welsh Corgis are ferried across the country to Windsor, Balmoral, and Sandringham, and have even travelled abroad on State Visits in the past, with numerous photos showing footmen carrying the pooches off an aircraft.
Brian Hoey’s ‘Not in front of the Corgis’ says: ‘Nobody is allowed to raise a finger or a voice to any of the dogs. They cock their legs and do what corgis do wherever they want — on antique furniture, priceless carpets . . .’
In his previous book, ‘At Home with The Queen’, Hoey claims that the dogs are fed prime steak every day, and walked by staff in the Palace garden, much to their annoyance. Her Majesty will take them if she is available, and they will follow her about the Palace, to her office, in the sitting room – even to receptions!
The Queen has bred the dogs, and replaced members of the pack when one passed. She has buried most of her pets at Sandringham, in a pet cemetery begun by Queen Victoria; Her Majesty wanted somewhere to bury Susan, who died in 1959. It is a quiet corner of the grounds, dotted with small headstones for each beloved companion, while others are interred at Balmoral.
Reports last year suggested Princess Beatrice had offered her grandmother a puppy from her dog’s own litter, to fill a space in the pack, but Her Majesty declined.
Spending Sunday night with my dog and her four new puppies! pic.twitter.com/3YxyP7g3gb
— Bea (@yorkiebea) September 14, 2014
The Duke of Cambridge has revealed his dislike of his grandmother’s dogs, who are known to be a little snappy; in an interview for the Diamond Jubilee, William said: “They’re barking all the time. . . . I don’t know how she [The Queen] copes with it.
“But her private life with her dogs and her riding and her walking, it’s very important to her – she has got to switch off. She enjoys it. I would just question the noise!” the Duke finished, recognising Her Majesty’s love for her animals.
It is understandable that an owner as caring as The Queen should not want to leave her pets without their owner, but it will be a sad day when The Queen is at Buckingham Palace, without any dogs following behind her…
Photo: still from BBC Olympic Opening Games coverage, Thor
1 comment
How very sad. I am a lifelong American Anglophile, and I am 71 now. The corgis have always been part of Her Majesty’s life, since she was 18, and now it is so sad to see things ‘winding down’ as she makes such difficult decisions. God Bless, Your Majesty.