The history of royal Corgis goes way back to 1933 when the Queen and her sister got their very own Corgi puppy. It wasn’t until 1944 that she was gifted a Corgi of her own. From there, a lifelong love for the breed was born.
Corgis have been associated with the British Royal Family for decades. They were the late Queen’s favorite breed, and they went with her everywhere. She was an animal lover through and through. And who can blame her for having the Corgi as her dog of choice? In many ways, we have her to thank for the popularity of the breed.
But how did this love for Corgis start? Today, let’s kick back with the incredible history of how Corgis came to join the Royal Family and the incredible life they lived with Queen Elizabeth II. This is the fascinating history of Corgis and the British Royal Family. Something that I know every Corgi owner is going to love reading about.
Key Takeaways:
- The Royal Family got their first Corgi in 1933
- Queen Elizabeth II was given her first Corgi in 1944
- The Queen’s Corgi, Susan, even came on her honeymoon
- She stopped breeding Corgis in 2012, ending Susan’s line
The Royal Family’s Corgis
Before he became the 5th Marquess of Bath, Thomas Henry Thynne was the nobleman who sparked Queen Elizabeth’s love for Corgis. When she was a child, Thynne bought his own children a pair of Corgis as pets. When the young Princess and her sister visited their home to play, they instantly fell in love with them.
In 1933, soon after the visit with Thynne’s children, The Queen Mother and the King brought home a Corgi named Dookie for their daughters. He was chosen for his long tail, allowing them to see whether or not he was pleased. He held the proud position of being the first Royal Corgi in a long line of successors.
Jane joined the family in 1937 as a friend for Dookie and another mischief maker to keep the princesses occupied. In 1940, the dogs were sent with them when the princesses were evacuated. And while Dookie had died, Jane had a son named Crackers. Tragically, Jane passed in 1944 when she was accidentally run over by a car.
The Queen’s First Corgi
In 1944, Queen Elizabeth was gifted her first Corgi for her 18th birthday. She was named Susan, a Pembroke Corgi, and she remained a constant companion for the young Queen. She even came along on her honeymoon with Prince Philip after they got married. Susan had her own puppies a year after Elizabeth became a mother.
Her puppies were Sugar and Honey, both of whom stayed within the family. In 1959, Susan passed away, and she was buried in Queen Victoria’s pet graveyard. She was almost fifteen years old, and the inscription on her gravestone listed her as the faithful companion of The Queen. It was heartbreaking, but it didn’t quell her love for the breed.
The Wonderful Life Of The Royal Corgis
The Queen once stated that her Corgis were family, something we can all relate to, and they lived an incredible life in the palace. They had wicker baskets in their own room and were fed the finest steak and chicken each day. They travelled everywhere with the Queen, which meant they got plenty of adventures alongside their usual walks.
The Corgis even had a private trainer, and each dog had their own special menu that was tailored to their specific dietary needs according to their age and health. Susan had an incredibly long line of Corgi descendants who lived in the palace, and they were all taken exceptional care of.
The End Of A Legacy
Willow was the last Royal Corgi from Susan’s line, and in 2012, the Queen announced she was no longer breeding her Corgis. She didn’t want to leave any young dogs behind. She felt it was best to stop getting new dogs once hers had passed. In 2018, Willow passed away, leaving the Queen without any Corgis.
In 2021, during the pandemic, Prince Andrew, Princess Beatrice, and Princess Eugenie gifted her two new puppies. Muick was a Corgi and Fergus was a Dorgi, and they were there to keep her company while Philip was in hospital. Tragically, Fergus passed away later that year, and the Queen got a new Corgi, Sandy, to keep Muick company.
For the Queen, they were a lifeline and a godsend. It was reported that they helped change the mood in the palace, and the Queen started taking long walks again because of them. I think we can all relate to the way our Corgis manage to make us feel better even when things get hard, and the Queen was no exception to this rule.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Happened To The Queen’s Corgis After Her Death?
After the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, her remaining Corgis were sent to live with Prince Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson at Windsor. The two live there together and take care of the Corgis to this day, as they were beloved by Ferguson. Sadly, the rest of the Royal Family didn’t take to Corgis the same way the late Queen did.
What Did The Queen Call Her Corgis?
The Queen’s Corgis usually had very traditional names. Some of the most well-remembered examples are Susan, Willow, Holly, Monty, and Heather. Linnet, Noble, and Emma were also Corgis the Queen loved and cherished.
Where Did The Queen’s Corgis Sleep?
The Queen’s Corgis slept in wicker baskets with soft blankets in a special Corgi Room that was made for them in the palace. They were also fed on steak and chicken, and they travelled with the Queen as much as possible. Their private bedroom was a lovely retreat for them, and I know I’m a little jealous of the setup they had.
Final Thoughts
You can see where the late Queen got her love of Corgis from. It’s hard not to fall completely head over heels for them, and they are some of the most incredible dogs I have ever known. It’s a shame the rest of the family didn’t take to them in quite the same way, and it’s sad to see that a legacy has ended with Her Majesty’s passing.
If you’re considering a Corgi because of their association with the British Royal Family, remember that while these dogs are full of love, they are also very stubborn. They can be difficult to train and disobedient, but they are worth it. All you need to do is train them well and have plenty of patience.
