In a handout picture released by Kensington Palace and Camera Press on March 29, 2014, Britain’s Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (right) and Britain’s Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge pose with their son Prince George of Cambridge and pet dog Lupo at their residence in Kensington Palace in mid-March 2014. AFP/Kensington Palace/Camera Press/Jason Bell
Prince William and Duchess Catherine are mourning a loss in the family: their dog Lupo.
The English Cocker Spaniel has been with the royal couple since 2012, months after they got married in April 2011.
“Very sadly last weekend our dear dog, Lupo, passed away,” the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge announced yesterday, Nov. 23. “He has been at the heart of our family for the past nine years and we will miss him so much.”
Lupo came from Ella, a family dog owned by her parents, Michael and Carole Middleton, Hello! reported in 2018. A friend, Natalie Bressani, told the publication that they got the dog to help with their time apart when the prince had to report to the Falkland Islands for six weeks.
The royal dog has made appearances in official family portraits including photos of the couple’s firstborn Prince George.
A handout picture released on Aug. 19, 2013, by Kensington Palace shows Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, his wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, with their newborn baby boy, Prince George of Cambridge, Tilly the retriever (left), a Middleton family pet, and Lupo, the couple’s cocker spaniel (right) at the Middleton family home in Bucklebury, Berkshire, in early August 2013. AFP Photo/Michael Middleton
Kate’s brother James Middleton shared his grief over Lupo’s passing on Instagram yesterday.
“Nothing can ever prepare you for the loss of a dog,” he said.
“I’ve said a prayer, lit a candle and taken Ella (Mum) for a long walk to spend time remembering Lupo.”
Lupo is also the subject of a series of children’s books by Aby King, titled “The Adventures of a Royal Dog.” /ra
RELATED STORIES:
Queen Elizabeth’s last corgi passes away—report
Meghan Markle’s dog stars in children’s books telling his life from rescue to royal