For around 85 years, the Queen owned at least one corgi – a dog breed that became synonymous with the sovereign. At the time she passed away, the Queen had four dogs – two Pembroke Welsh corgis, a dorgi (corgi-dachshund mix), and a cocker spaniel named Lissy.
Her love for the corgi breed began after she requested a Pembroke Welsh corgi as a seven-year-old in 1933. On her 18th birthday, she was gifted her very own corgi, named Susan, who she took on her honeymoon with Prince Phillip three years later.
The Queen was so strongly associated with the breed that corgi owners are planning a parade in the Queen’s honour to show their respect after her passing. The parade is currently scheduled for October 9, a month on from the death of the Queen.
Read more: The Queen's corgis and Her Majesty's devotion to her royal dynasty of little dogs
What will happen to the Queen’s corgis now?
While it has not yet been made public where the dogs will be rehomed, royal watchers point out that the Queen meticulously planned everything. It is very likely that a home for the dogs has been found already.
The most likely outcome is that the dogs will go to another member of the royal family. If not, then they could end up living with a trusted member of the Queen’s staff.
Why did the Queen love corgis?
The Queen was very fond of the dogs from an early age. She fell in love with the corgis owned by the children of the Marquess of Bath.
The Queen preferred corgis to other breeds because of their "energy and untamed spirit". Her love of the dogs did not diminish.
In 2018, Whisper, the last of the Queen’s corgis at the time, died, ending what most people thought was the end of her dog ownership. However, in February 2021, the Queen was gifted two new puppies, a corgi, Muick and a dorgi, Fergus, by her son the Duke of York.
The puppies were given to the Queen to keep her company while her husband Prince Philip was in hospital. Sadly, Fergus died just three months after he was given to the Queen.
In June 2021, Prince Andrew and his daughters gave the Queen another corgi, named Sandy, to keep Muick company. The Queen also owned an elderly dorgi, called Candy.
How many corgis did the Queen own?
The Queen had more than 30 dogs during her reign, descended from the first one named Susan, whom she received as a gift for her 18th birthday.
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