A day after celebrating her 60th birthday, it was back to royal duties for The Duchess of Edinburgh, where she delighted staff and supporters during her visit to Dogs for Autism in Alton, Hampshire.
The charity is the UK’s first organisation exclusively dedicated to providing autism assistance dogs free of charge to autistic individuals of any age.
The Duchess met staff and volunteers at the facilities. (Royal Family)
Dressed elegantly in a navy blue Alexander McQueen suit paired with a crisp white shirt and statement gold leaf earrings, the Duchess was warmly welcomed by a group of assistance dogs, their partners, and charity staff. The visit highlighted the life-changing impact of these dogs, who help their owners navigate the challenges of autism by increasing independence, reducing anxiety, and managing sensory overload.
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This video shows some moments of The Duchess of Edinburgh’s visit earlier today to Dogs for Autism, a charity in Alton, Hampshire 🐶
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A standout moment of the visit for royal watchers was seeing Sophie’s encounter with Lord Louis of Spudringham, a playful nine-week-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with a royal-inspired name. The tiny pup, named after Prince Louis and Sandringham Estate, wasted no time charming the Duchess by licking her neck and nibbling at her earrings.
According to Laura McCreadie, fundraising manager and volunteer coordinator of Dogs for Autism, the Duchess was completely in love with the mischievous pup, noting that ‘Louis was inspired by Prince Louis because he’s such a playful puppy. The Duchess wanted to take him home with her. She was completely besotted and didn’t want to let him go.’
Lord Louis was bred by a specialist cardiac vet focused on eradicating common health challenges in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. His adorable older sibling, Lexi, is already part of the charity’s program, where she has been making excellent progress. Louis himself has just started his journey, placed with a volunteer ‘puppy parent’ who will guide him through his two-year training.
Sophie found a new friend in Lord Louis of Spudringham. (Royal Family)
The Duchess’s visit continued at the charity’s training centre, where she met Buddy, Jack, and Finn, three trainee assistance dogs. Buddy, a regular feature on ITV’s This Morning, demonstrated his skills alongside the show’s resident vet and Dogs for Autism ambassador, Dr. Scott Miller.
In addition to the dogs, Sophie spent time with charity trustees, staff members, local volunteers, and supporters, who shared their dedication to empowering autistic individuals through assistance dogs. The Duchess also received a woven basket containing a plush toy of a Cocker Spaniel, presented by Buddy, much to her delight.
The Duchess of Edinburgh looked comfortable with Louis on her lap as she watched some demonstrations. (Royal Family)
The Duchess of Edinburgh met a number of dogs who are training to support those with autism. (Royal Family)
As a devoted dog lover, the Duchess’s affection for animals is well known. She is the proud owner of three dogs: a Cocker Spaniel named Mole and two black Labradors, Teal and Teasel. Her dedication extends beyond her own pets; Sophie is also a patron of the charity Guide Dogs, which supports children with vision impairments.
The Duchess of Edinburgh saw the training dogs in action. (Royal Family)
The Duchess’s visit to Dogs for Autism underscores her ongoing commitment to championing organisations that improve the lives of others. In 2021, the then-Countess of Wessex was joined by Princess Alexandra for a rare joint engagement at Guide Dogs South West in Bristol. The visit marked an important moment, as Princess Alexandra announced she was stepping down as Patron of the charity, with Sophie becoming the organisation’s new Royal Patron.
For Dogs for Autism, the visit was a powerful way to showcase their work and raise awareness about the transformative role assistance dogs play in the lives of autistic people across the UK.
