The Prince and Princess of Wales will reportedly be adding one of their dog Orla's puppies permanently to their family. The royal couple's cocker spaniel welcomed four puppies this year, and according to The Daily Mail's Rebecca English, Prince William and Catherine intend to keep one.
In a piece about Kate's royal future, published on June 23, Rebecca wrote that the Princess has "been ‘to hell and back’ over the last year and a half" and that the royal mom of three's physical recovery is still a "work in progress." The royal editor also reported that Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis "have also endured a tough time."
Rebecca wrote, "As parents there is always only so much we can keep from our children, particularly when it comes to physical illness. It’s one of the reasons, I am told, that she and Prince William have decided to breed from their adored spaniel, Orla. Not only has it been something fun for the children to look forward to, but I am told they are planning to keep one of the pups."
Three of the puppies were featured in a photo that was released to mark Prince William's 43rd birthday on June 21. The Princess of Wales photographed her husband sitting on the ground with the pups and Orla behind him. "Happy birthday! Love C, G, C, L, Orla and the puppies! 🐾," the message alongside the adorable image read.
It was revealed last month that the Waleses' dog Orla had given birth to puppies. “Everyone loves a new royal baby news and so new royal puppies run very close," an insider told The Sun. "Everyone is very excited, not least the three children, who adore Orla, and Lupo before.”
Lupo, who was a belated wedding present from James Middleton to his sister and brother-in-law in 2011, passed away in 2020. The Mail on Sunday reported in January 2021 that the Princess of Wales' brother had gifted the Wales family a new cocker spaniel puppy, Orla, prior to Lupo's death. “The new puppy is adorable and the whole family are besotted,” a friend told The Mail on Sunday in 2021. “They were devastated when Lupo passed away, as any dog owner will understand, but got the new puppy before he died. It was hoped that a younger dog would give Lupo some company and give him a little more life and energy.”
James' dog Luna welcomed a litter of puppies in May of 2020. Fifty-six days after their birth, Catherine's brother revealed that the puppies were leaving him. "I am sad to see you go, and yes I might cry but it will be with happiness as each of your new homes are bursting with love," James penned on Instagram. "You might be scared at first, thats ok. Just be yourself and you will never understand how much happiness you will bring to your new families and all the people you meet."