Queen Camilla has officially introduced the newest member of her family — a ‘mischievous’ puppy named Moley. The young Jack Russell Terrier cross, who is now around 20 weeks old, was adopted by Her Majesty from the Battersea Dogs & Cats Home in London earlier this year, following the death of her beloved dog Beth in November.
Beth, also a Jack Russell Terrier, was adopted from the same charity and passed away at the age of 13. Her loss left a noticeable void in Camilla’s life, prompting The Queen to seek out a new companion.
Moley, who was born on Boxing Day at Battersea to a Jack Russell mother and an unknown father, is described by the Queen as ‘a bit of everything’.
In a light-hearted moment during a visit to a museum in Canterbury, Kent, earlier this year, Queen Camilla shared the story behind Moley’s unusual name. Laughing, she told a fellow dog lover: ‘It’s called Moley — it looks just like a mole.’
Her Majesty has been a devoted supporter animal-based charities and has served as Patron of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home since 2016, following the footsteps of the late Elizabeth II. Camilla previously adopted two other rescue dogs from the same charity: Bluebell in 2012 and Beth in 2011.
In the new photo of Moley, The Queen is seen sitting in a sunlit garden, wearing a summery dress and cradling the young dog in her arms. Another image, released by Buckingham Palace, shows the pup perched on a wooden chair.
The timing of Moley’s debut coincides with a special event for dog lovers and gardening enthusiasts alike: on Monday, The King and Queen will attend the RHS and BBC Radio 2 Dog Garden at the Chelsea Flower Show.
Designed by broadcaster and horticulturist Monty Don, the Dog Garden is tailored with canines in mind. It features grass play areas, shaded spots beneath a large tree, and brick pathways inscribed with the names of cherished dogs belonging to Radio 2 presenters and RHS ambassadors.
Among the honoured names on the path are The Queen’s three rescue dogs — Bluebell, Beth, and now Moley — as well as King Charles’s dog, Snuff. The Dog Garden won’t end its story at the Flower Show, though. After the event concludes, the garden will be relocated to Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, creating a lasting legacy that celebrates the bond between pets and people.
