Sarah Ferguson Just Shared The 1st Pics Of The Queen's Corgis Since Her Death

Since the funeral of 96-year-old Queen Elizabeth II on Sept. 19, just 11 days after her passing, the world has been filled with grief and uncertainty. Among the numerous questions that the royal's death brought, lots of people were curious to know what would happen to Elizabeth's beloved dogs.

You’ll be relieved to know that the royal pups are continuing their reign after joining the household of one of the Queen’s children. And according to a Royal Family member, the pups are doing just fine. But more on that in a sec.

The Queen was a major animal lover who collected furry friends throughout her life (she's estimated to be the proud owner of more than 30 corgis over the course of her life, per Reader's Digest). As of today, four of her pups have succeeded her.

Elizabeth's dogs are thought to be among her most consistent loves. "She loves animals and she absolutely adores dogs," Ingrid Seward, a royal biographer, told Newsweek. "They were her first love and they will be her last."

If you're curious about the Queen's love of corgis and other canine breeds, look no further. Here is everything there is to know about the four-legged best friends of Queen Elizabeth II.

How many dogs did Queen Elizabeth II have?

At the time of her death on Sept. 8, 2022, Queen Elizabeth II had four dogs.

The eldest of her pups is Candy, who is believed to be 13 years old. Candy is a corgi-dachshund mix, also known as a dorgi, per Harper's Bazaar.

It was previously revealed that the Queen was not intentionally adding more pups to her family because she "didn’t want to leave any young dog behind," she told a horse trainer in 2015, The Independent reported.

However, the Queen welcomed two more corgis to her royal family in recent years. When her husband Prince Philip was hospitalized in 2021, the Queen was gifted Muick, who is named after a spot near Balmoral Castle, one of Elizabeth's favorite summer retreats.

Prince Andrew and the Queen's granddaughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, gave her another corgi, Sandy, on what would have been Philip's 100th birthday last June, according to The Independent.

The Queen was also the proud owner of a prize-winning cocker spaniel named Lizzie (like owner, like pupper). Lizzie entered the palace in January of 2022, The Daily Mail reported.

Where did the Queen's love of corgis come from?

It all started with Queen Elizabeth's first pup. In 1933, Elizabeth's parents welcomed the royal family's first corgi, Dookie. A few years later, the family welcomed another corgi named Jane, according to The American Kennel Club.

Queen Elizabeth was then given a corgi of her very own, Susan, for her 18th birthday by her father in 1944. After Susan joined in on Elizabeth and Philip's honeymoon, the corgi gave birth to a pair of puppies in 1949, Reader's Digest reported. And with that, the line of royal corgis that's so closely associated with Queen Elizabeth II, began.

It's thought that the Queen began a corgi bloodline that lasted for at least 14 generations of dogs.

What happened to the Queen's dogs after her death?

Family takes care of family. Prince Andrew and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York took the Queen’s doggos in as their own, Town and Country reported.

Of the Queen’s children, it makes sense that Andrew would inherit her furry friends since he gifted her the corgi and dorgi.

"The corgis will return to live at Royal Lodge with the duke and duchess. It was the duchess who found the puppies that were gifted to Her Majesty by the duke," a source close to the prince told Newsweek.

The living situation is fitting given that "the duchess bonded with Her Majesty over dog walking.” Even after Sarah Ferguson split from Prince Andrew, “she would continue her great friendship with Her Majesty, by walking the dogs in Frogmore and chatting," the source told Newsweek. The Duke and Duchess of York are still on friendly terms and continue to live together at the Royal Lodge in Windsor, where the pups will join them, per People.

And on Oct. 15, the world finally got evidence of how happy the pups are in their new home, per CNN. On her birthday, Ferguson posted several different photos of Sandy and Muick on her Instagram, captioning the first post, "The presents that keep giving..." I'm not crying, you are.

These dogs definitely look like they're enjoying their new home. I'm sure Elizabeth would be very pleased.

What has the Royal Family said about the Queen’s dogs?

During a surprise visit on Sept. 17, Prince William assured a mourner waiting in line to see the Queen lying in state that the dogs would be in excellent care.

"They are two very friendly corgis, so they've got a good home," Prince William said in a video captured by Sky News, per HELLO! Magazine. "They'll be looked after very well. Spoiled rotten, I'm sure."

Clearly, the royal dogs are in good hands, and they certainly seem to be living the life out in the country.

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