The reign of the corgi in the House of Windsor appears to be over: The Queen’s last corgi, Willow, has been put to sleep.
The Queen, who turns 92 on Saturday, had the 14-year-old dog euthanised at Windsor Castle on Sunday, due to cancer-related illness, the Daily Mail is reporting.
The corgis join The Queen in an official birthday photo (annie liebowitz)
“She does not like seeing her dogs suffer and she knows that sometimes putting a dog down is the kindest course of action – although that doesn’t make her loss any less,” the paper quotes a ‘source’. “One comforting fact was that Prince Philip, recuperating from his hip replacement operation, was able to be with her at Windsor.”
Willow, who it is thought worsened Sunday afternoon necessitating a visit from the vet, famously featured in The Queen’s London 2012 James Bond sketch, alongside Holly, who was put down in 2016 at Balmoral; she was 13.
“Willow represents a significant thread running through The Queen’s life from her teenage years to her 90s. For many, many years she bred and raised corgis and to think that the last one has now gone is something of a milestone,” the source said.
Willow was the 14th generation descended from Susan, Her Majesty’s first dog that began her affiliation with corgis. Susan was a an 18th birthday from her mother and father. George VI (then Duke of York) brought a corgi into the family in 1933, however: Dookie.
The beloved pet will be buried in the grounds at Windsor, or Sandringham in the pet cemetery begun by Queen Victoria, with a small headstone to mark her location. The Queen has done this with all her pets over the years.
In 2015, we reported on The Queen’s decision to stop breeding her dogs, so that ‘none were left behind’ after the Monarch herself passes.
The Queen is not left alone, however: Vulcan and Candy – dachshund/corgi crosses – remain behind. It is also thought that she agreed to take in Whisper, a corgi belonging to former Sandringham gamekeeper, last year, after the owner’s death.
3 comments
The Queen’s dogs must have been happy being loved by the queen so much.
So sorry for your loss ma’m, it is never easy to lose a beloved dog but you did the kindest thing for her, you set her free from pain and suffering, run free willow at rainbow bridge
Broken hearted for you Your Majesty , to lose a beloved and devoted friend is one of the greatest pains held within our hearts , Willow ,as all of your pets ,have lived lives full of love and caring from you Ma’am , how Blessed they have been for that great honor , how Blessed you have been for their great love and companionship. Rest in Peace Willow .