It’s been a difficult time for The Queen, who has been grieving the loss of her husband of 73 years, Prince Philip.
So as reports emerged claiming one of The Queen’s beloved pups had passed away this week, the news struck an emotional chord – particularly given this particular dog was gifted to The Queen while Philip was in hospital earlier in the year.
As a surprise gift from her son, Prince Andrew, in February this year, the Queen was given two corgi puppies, one of which has now sadly died.
She was said to be “devastated” when the five-month-old puppy died over the weekend, a source told The Sun.
It comes just over a month after the death of her husband Prince Philip, who passed on April 9 aged 99.
“Everyone concerned is upset as this comes so soon after she lost her husband.”
(Getty)“The Queen is absolutely devastated. The puppies were brought in to cheer her up during a very difficult period,” the source told the publication.
“Everyone concerned is upset as this comes so soon after she lost her husband.”
The puppy was a Dachshund and a Welsh Corgi mix, and was one of two dogs given to Her Majesty to cheer her after Prince Philip fell ill.
The Queen is known for her love of corgis.
(Getty)The Queen named the dog Fergus after her maternal uncle Fergus Bowes-Lyon, who died in France during World War I. The second pup, Muick, is named after Loch Muick, a lake on the Balmoral Estate in Scotland, and was a corgi.
Her love for corgis started when she was a teenager, ever since her 18th birthday when she was given Susan, a corgi, as a gift.
Her Majesty bred Pembroke Welsh corgis ever since, and has owned more than thirty in her lifetime.
She has had over thirty dogs in her lifetime.
(Getty)The sad news comes after it was revealed that the Queen will reportedly head to her favourite residence, Balmoral Castle, to grieve her husband’s death.
The estate is the famed location of the royal couple’s honeymoon and the destination for many of their summer getaways.
This article originally appeared on our sister site, New Idea.
