The Queen's Last Royal Corgi Died, But Please Try to Keep Calm and Carry On
Queen Elizabeth lost the last of her beloved corgi dogs this weekend.
Willow, who was nearly 15 years old, was put down after a lengthy struggle with cancer, according to reports in the U.K. press.
This marks the end of the monarch’s longstanding tradition – the first time Her Majesty hasn’t had a corgi in her household since World War II. The Queen, 91, is well known for her love of corgis and has bred them for nearly eight decades.
The Queen and her canine companions feature prominently Netflix’s buzzy show The Crown.
Monty Roberts, a former royal family advisor told Vanity Fair she didn’t want to have any more young dogs after 2012 because she didn’t want to “leave any behind.”
Before celebrity dogs of Instagram were earning more money than humans, Willow was world-famous. You may have spotted the dog alongside Holly, another one of the Queen’s corgis, in the opening sketch at the 2012 London Olympic Games with a slightly more famous Brit – James Bond.
Willow also was part of the Queen’s official 90th birthday portrait in 2016. The palace has not yet commented.
Many people took to social media to mourn the loss.
NOOOOOOOO :(. RIP, Willow. "Queen’s Last Corgi and ‘James Bond’ Star Willow Has Died https://t.co/6fsYSEFI4h via @thedailybeast" #corgi #corgis #TheQueen @lorinonTV
— Rocco Aloe (@Rocco_FNC) April 18, 2018
she loved 14 generations of royal corgis and that all ended when willow had to be put to sleep ???? this really is the end of an era ???? https://t.co/yGRBANcz63
— janine wong (@xjaninewongx) April 18, 2018
Sad to hear that it is the end of an era for The Queen and her long line of beloved Corgis, after Willow was put to sleep. I’ve always adored this photo of Princess Elizabeth with Dookie, their first corgi. ?? pic.twitter.com/Ir6pRZp8y0
— Katie (@katiesroyallove) April 18, 2018