Prince William and Kate Middleton, while committed to their roles as senior royals, prioritize their family life, cherishing moments with their three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis in their private sanctuary.
But it wasn’t just their children that caught the attention of the Prince and Princess of Wales; they also make room in their life and bed for another precious member: their cocker spaniel, Orla.
Intimate details about the couple’s home life were unexpectedly shared by Prince William on October 17, while interacting with a fan’s pet dog at Duchy College.
In this casual exchange, William reveals that little Orla is a permanent resident of their bed, much to the amazement of those present.
Hello! magazine reported that Louise Harland, accompanied by her dog Jacks, revealed to Hits Radio Cornwall: “[William] said that his little dog slept in bed with them at night, with him and Kate.”
William’s meeting with Louise’s dog, Jacks, a unique Cockerjack breed, fascinated the Prince. “[He was] totally in love with my little dog. He asked what breed he was and he had never met one, he was a Cockerjack, so he was a unique combination,” explained Louise.
In addition, Louise smilingly recalled how the Prince could not resist praising her pet’s “soft” ears and showering him with affection.
James Middleton’s adorable dog Luna gave birth to six healthy puppies in 2020, and royal couple William and Kate decided to adopt one of the pups, and named her Orla.
This little dog quickly became part of the family but kept a low profile until he was revealed in a charming portrait alongside Princess Charlotte for her birthday in 2022.
The name ‘Orla’, which is Celtic for “golden princess”, subtly reflects the couple’s Royal status as Prince and Princess of Wales.
Before Orla joined them, the royals had another beloved cocker spaniel named Lupo. He was a treasured member of their family until his death in November 2020, which devastated the royals, as evidenced by the touching tribute they posted on social media which read: ‘He has been the heart of our family for the last nine years and we will miss him. there’s so much of him.”
Although Orla is rarely in the spotlight, she enjoyed a moment of fame last summer when the Duke and Duchess made a public appearance at the Royal Charity Polo Cup with their elegant dog in tow.
The royals don’t just share their home with a dog; they also have a guinea pig, which, as Prince William admitted during a visit to Woodgate Valley Urban Farm, is often his responsibility due to the forgetfulness of his children.
“Prince William said he had so much fun petting Snowflake guinea pigs at Woodgate Valley Urban Farm… that he didn’t want to leave,” reported Telegraph journalist Victoria Ward. “He revealed that his kids always forgot to clean their own guinea pigs, so he let him do it.”
