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2022 marks the 70th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s ascension to the throne and makes her the first British Monarch to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee. Known for her love of animals throughout her reign, the most commonly associated animal companion of HRH is her loyal pack of Corgis. In today’s blog, and to celebrate Her Majesty’s milestone, we look at her love of Corgis.
The Pembrook Welsh breed have a long-standing history with the Queen and her love for pet ownership can be traced to her childhood where it is said that her passion for dogs was inherited from her father King George VI who brought home the family’s first corgi, a puppy named Dookie in 1933. The Queen was instantly besotted by the young pup, selecting Dookie over two others for his longer tail which showed “whether he is pleased or not.”
A photograph from George VI’s photo album shows the young Princess with Dookie at Balmoral. Elizabeth and her sister Princess Margaret would feed Dookie by hand from a dish held by a footman.The other early favourite corgi during the same time was Jane.
For over five decades the Queen has breed a number of canine companions including cocker spaniels, Dorgis and, of course, Corgis, Currently Her Majesty has four dogs – two corgis, one Dorgi and a Cocker Spaniel. The Dorgi called Candy is the eldest canine, who is believed to have been around for at least 10 years.
Prince William has previously said that the Queen’s pets are the secret to keeping his grandmother happy during her reign.
“I would definitely argue the sanity of all the corgis barking the whole time, I don’t know how she copes with it,” the Duke of Cambridge said in a TV interview in 2012.
The Queen is rumoured to walk her dogs twice a day with the first walk taking place shortly after lunch time where she is often accompanied by a footman. The Queen then takes her pack out for their second walk of the day around the grounds of Buckingham Palace – if she is in residence. In Buckingham Place the dogs sleep in little wicker baskets in the corgi room and are]looked after by two footman called Doggie 1 and Doggie 2. Befitting of Royal residents, the sheets in the wicker baskets are refreshed daily, in a tradition started by the Queen Mother and the pooches are even served fresh food for their dinner, prepared by staff in the Buckingham Palace kitchen.
All at the VCMS would like to wish Her Majesty the very best and all an enjoyable extended Jubilee weekend.
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