Queen Elizabeth II and her beloved corgis throughout the year
Queen Elizabeth II died on September 8 at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. She was 96 years old.
The longest-serving British monarch was known for leading the crown during times of turmoil and serving as the United Kingdom’s and the Commonwealth’s head of state for more than 70 years. For every moment of geopolitical tension, birth of a child, or peaceful transfer of power, Queen Elizabeth II carried out her duties both as a political figurehead and as a mother—most times, simultaneously. And while the world (and, avid watchers of the drama series The Crown) remember the way her unwavering duty and loyalty to service trumped all else in her life, most of us won’t forget the furry four-legged friends that followed her everywhere she went. Not only was Queen Elizabeth II one of the most important women in British history, but she was also a dog mom to many, many corgis throughout her life.
Her love of the breed, which originated in Pembrokeshire, Wales, began at an early age, with some of the earliest photos of Queen Elizabeth II being of the young royal wrapped around her childhood dogs. While The Queen was spotted with a few dachsunds here and there, the Pembroke Welsh corgis were her dog of choice: Reader’s Digest wrote that the late Queen owned 30 corgis during her time on the British throne (even having nine at once). Both fictionalised in The Crown and seen IRL when meeting the New Zealand Rugby League Team, Queen Elizabeth II’s loyal corgi servants often trailed behind her. If the royal corgis were spotted anywhere, you knew the queen was sure to be somewhere close.
Monty Roberts, a longtime advisor to the Queen, said that the queen stopped breeding corgis in 2015 because she “did not want to leave any behind.” While the queen is survived by her children and grandchildren, including the new King Charles III, she’s also survived by a few corgis that followed her into her later years. Although we’re unsure what will happen to her beloved pups, the royal family is sure to carry on her legacy of being a passionate animal lover.
Below, browse a few moments between the late Queen Elizabeth II and her beloved corgi friends.
Article originally appeared in GLAMOUR US.
Our anti-royalist views can – and should – co-exist with our grief.
- Lisa Sheridan/Getty Images
1936
The late queen loved corgis from an early age, with the breed being adored by her mother and father throughout her childhood.
- Lisa Sheridan/Getty Images
1936
Princess Elizabeth pictured with her pets, Jane and Dookie, at age 10. The monarch went on to raise and adopt more and more corgis later in life.
- Lisa Sheridan/Getty Images
1936
Princess Elizabeth hugging a corgi at her home in London.
- Lisa Sheridan/Getty Images
1939
The Pembroke Welsh corgi is known for its short legs, long body, long tail, and perky ears.
- PNA_Rota/Getty Images
1940
Then Princess Elizabeth and her younger sister, Princess Margaret, ride in a carriage in the grounds of the Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park.
- Lisa Sheridan/Getty Images
1944
Princess Elizabeth with her pet corgi Susan—nicknamed Sue.
- Bettmann
1952
Queen Elizabeth II at Balmoral Castle with one of her corgis. She died on the castle grounds 70 years later.
- Lisa Sheridan/Getty Images
1952
Queen Elizabeth II with two dogs at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.
- Hulton Archive/Getty Images
1959
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip with one of their corgis at Windsor Castle in Berkshire.
- Anwar Hussein/Getty Images
1960
Queen Elizabeth II photographing her corgis at Windsor Park in 1960 in Windsor, England.
- Bettmann
1960
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, with their children—Prince Andrew, Princess Anne, and now King Charles III—and one of the queen’s corgis, sitting on a picnic rug outside Balmoral Castle.
- Hulton Archive/Getty Images
1968
Queen Elizabeth at Liverpool Street Station with two of her pet corgis.
- Bettmann
1970
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II smiles radiantly during a picture-taking session in the salon at Sandringham House, in preparation for a royal tour of Australia and New Zealand.
- Anwar Hussein/Getty Images
1974
Queen Elizabeth II arrives at Aberdeen Airport with her corgis to start her holidays in Balmoral.
- Hulton Archive/Getty Images
1972
Queen Elizabeth II with her dogs in her study.
- Tim Graham/Getty Images
1977
Queen Elizabeth II with two of her corgis on the grounds of Windsor Castle.
- Tim Graham/Getty Images
1983
The Queen Mother and Queen Elizabeth II, outside of Clarence House with her pet corgi on the queen mother’s birthday.
- Pool/Tim Graham Picture Library/Getty Images
2007
Queen Elizabeth II and her corgis meet players and officials from the New Zealand Rugby League Team, the All Golds.
- WPA Pool/Getty Images
2012
Queen Elizabeth II greets well-wishers with corgis during a visit to Sherborne Abbey on May 1, 2012, in Sherborne, England.
