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The British royal family has a few new members, but this time they are not future heirs to the throne. Orla, the cocker spaniel belonging to the Prince and Princess of Wales, has given birth to four adorable puppies. The puppies have quickly become the favorite playmates of George, Charlotte, and Louis, who now have new partners in mischief.
According to THE SUN, the arrival of the puppies hasn’t just excited the royal family — fans of the British monarchy are just as thrilled, sharing their joy on social media. Orla, a black cocker spaniel, joined the family in 2020 as a gift from James Middleton. Luna, Kate’s brother’s dog, had a litter of six puppies, and he gave one to his royal nieces and nephews. Since then, Orla has been a constant companion to the future monarchs and their children, often appearing in official photos and joining them at various events.
We saw her with Middleton during Prince William’s appearance at the 2022 Royal Charity Polo Cup and also at Princess Charlotte’s seventh birthday. Her name, Orla, is of Celtic origin and means golden princess, so the name couldn’t be more fitting.
To celebrate National Pet Day on April 11, the Prince and Princess of Wales shared a new photo of their dog, Orla, to honor her place in the family. The picture showed her soaking wet along with a heartfelt message.
We celebrate the animals that bring so much joy, companionship, and love into our lives this #NationalPetDay the Prince and Princess of Wales posted on their official accounts, adding a paw print emoji. While no details about the puppies have been shared yet, the family is expected to release photos in the coming days.
The royal love for dogs is nothing new
Over the years, members of the British royal family have shown deep affection for their pets, who have been an essential part of their daily lives. The late Queen Elizabeth II was especially known for her love of corgis, a breed that stayed by her side for most of her life. After her passing in 2022, two of her corgis, Sandy and Muick, were adopted by Prince Andrew and Sarah, Duchess of York, ensuring they remained within the family circle.
This is not the only recent royal pet story. The palace shared the first photo of Moley, a puppy adopted by Queen Camilla from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, an organization dedicated to rescuing animals. Her Majesty also has another rescued Jack Russell Terrier named Bluebell, while her dog Beth sadly passed away last November.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have also created a home where dogs play a central role. They share their residence at Bagshot Park with two black Labradors named Teal and Teasel and a working cocker spaniel named Mole.
Even outside the United Kingdom, members of the royal family have shown their love for dogs. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who now live in the United States, have a black Labrador named Pula and a beagle named Mamma Mia. Meghan Markle, who has always been an animal lover, mourned the loss of her beloved dog Guy this past December.
Orla and the Legacy of Royal Dogs
The Prince and Princess of Wales have carried on the royal tradition of cherishing their dogs. Before Orla, their beloved black cocker spaniel, the family had Lupo — another cocker spaniel who was with them for many years until his passing in 2020.
According to People, Lupo was a “late wedding gift” from James Middleton in 2011, a story he shared in his book Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life. Over time, it became clear that Lupo played a deeply meaningful role in William and Kate’s lives. He arrived at a particularly tough moment — right as Prince William was preparing for a six-week deployment to the Falkland Islands. Lupo was a source of comfort and companionship for Kate during that time.
Today, with Orla and her puppies, the Wales family continues this heartfelt bond with dogs, keeping the tradition alive for a new generation.