17 Royal Family Pets With Fascinating Stories
For centuries, royal families have shared their homes with pets just like anyone else. The only difference is that these pets have lived in castles, attended royal events, and in some cases, made history alongside their famous owners.
From beloved dogs to unusual animals, royal pets have often captured the hearts of both rulers and the public. Let’s peek behind the palace doors and discover the animals that once ruled the royal halls—and sometimes even stole the spotlight.
Susan
Queen Elizabeth II’s first corgi, Susan, wasn’t just a dog—she was family. Gifted to the Queen on her 18th birthday, Susan went everywhere with her, including on honeymoon.
What many people don’t know is that most of the Queen’s later corgis were direct descendants of Susan. That small pup basically started a royal dog dynasty.
The bond between them was so strong that the Queen had Susan buried in the royal pet cemetery at Sandringham with a custom headstone.
Nelson
Winston Churchill, though not a monarch, lived like one in many ways—and his black cat Nelson was treated like royalty. The cat got its name from Admiral Lord Nelson and was often seen roaming around during important wartime meetings.
Nelson supposedly had free access to the Prime Minister’s residence and often jumped into laps without warning. Churchill, who was a known animal lover, made sure the cat stayed well-fed and protected.
When Churchill left office, Nelson stayed behind with full privileges.
Lupo
Prince William and Kate’s black cocker spaniel, Lupo, became a favorite among royal watchers almost instantly. He often appeared in family photos, sometimes even stealing the scene.
Lupo was more than a pet; he was part of the couple’s early married life and helped keep them grounded during intense media attention. The name Lupo means “wolf” in Italian, and while he had a wild name, he lived a calm royal life.
His passing in 2020 brought a wave of sadness from fans around the world.
Marco
Queen Victoria had many pets, but one of the most unique was Marco, a small Pomeranian. He was her favorite among the many dogs she owned and often accompanied her to official functions.
Marco wasn’t just cute—he helped popularize the Pomeranian breed in Britain. Before him, Pomeranians were larger, but the Queen preferred smaller ones, which changed how they were bred.
Thanks to Marco, tiny fluffballs became fashionable across the country.
Beth and Bluebell
Camilla, Queen Consort, has two rescue dogs named Beth and Bluebell, and both were adopted from a London shelter. These Jack Russell terriers don’t care about fancy titles or traditions.
They’ve been photographed sitting in royal chairs and even attending public events. Camilla often speaks about the importance of adopting animals, and her dogs have helped raise awareness for animal charities.
Despite being royal pets, they still behave like regular mischievous pups.
Candy
Candy, a dorgi—a mix between a dachshund and a corgi—was one of Queen Elizabeth II’s last remaining dogs before her passing. She was known for following the Queen around Buckingham Palace and was part of many informal family moments.
The Queen loved the mix so much she helped create the breed decades earlier when one of her corgis mated with her sister’s dachshund. Candy wasn’t just a pet, she was a living link to a long royal dog tradition.
Even as the Queen aged, she made sure Candy stayed close by.
Dash
Queen Victoria’s spaniel, Dash, was her childhood pet and closest friend during her early years. When she became Queen at just 18, Dash remained by her side.
She once wrote about how much comfort the little dog gave her during lonely times. After Dash passed, Victoria had a statue made for his grave, with a long emotional tribute carved on it.
That small memorial still stands on the grounds of Windsor Castle today.
Whisper
Whisper was a corgi who originally belonged to a royal staff member but later came to live with Queen Elizabeth II. After the passing of his original owner, the Queen took him in, showing how much she valued both the people and pets around her.
Whisper fit in quickly with the other royal dogs and often accompanied the Queen during walks. His name matched his gentle personality, and he became another quiet but loyal presence in the palace.
Unlike her more public pets, Whisper was mostly kept out of the spotlight.
Turi
Turi, a corgi, was by Queen Elizabeth II’s side during one of the most emotional moments of her life—her father’s passing. In 1952, when King George VI died, Turi reportedly stayed with her in Kenya, offering comfort during the life-changing news.
Turi later followed the Queen through the early years of her reign. He may not be well known to the public, but his timing in her life made his role especially meaningful.
Sometimes, a pet’s presence means more than words.
Prince
Edward VII had a wire fox terrier named Caesar, but his son George V also had a loyal companion named Prince. Prince was a greyhound who stood out not for what he did, but for how he lived—quietly and close to the King.
George V was a serious man, and Prince often stayed in the background, watching silently. He may not have made headlines, but he provided calm in a palace that was often full of pressure.
Even kings need someone who just sits with them in peace.
Harris
Prince Charles once owned a Jack Russell named Harris, who made headlines for his naughty behavior. During a trip to Scotland, Harris bit a royal photographer, earning instant fame.
Though the incident was serious, it also reminded people that royal pets, like all animals, don’t always behave as expected. Harris lived a private life after that but remains one of the more notorious pets in royal memory.
It’s not every day a dog steals a headline from the future king.
Rex
King George VI, father of Queen Elizabeth II, had a loyal corgi named Dookie, but another of his dogs, Rex, deserves some attention too. Rex had a love for playing fetch in the gardens of Windsor and even followed the family around during wartime.
He was seen in photos beside the young Elizabeth and her sister Margaret. Rex provided a sense of normalcy during a time of war and uncertainty.
In many ways, he helped raise the young royals through difficult times.
Caesar
Caesar, a wire fox terrier owned by Edward VII, was one of the most famous royal pets of his time. When the King died in 1910, Caesar walked behind his coffin in the funeral procession, which shocked and moved the public.
The dog wore a custom collar that read “I am Caesar. I belong to the King.” After the funeral, a statue of Caesar was placed at the King’s feet on his tomb.
No royal pet had ever received such a public farewell before.
Snowball
Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III, owned a zebra named Snowball—a gift from South Africa. She kept the animal at the royal menagerie, which later became the base for what is now London Zoo.
Snowball fascinated the public, as most had never seen a zebra before. Crowds gathered just to get a glimpse of the striped animal.
Though not a cuddle-type pet, Snowball still made royal animal history.
Muick
Queen Elizabeth II received a corgi named Muick during the COVID-19 lockdown from Prince Andrew as a gift. The name was taken from Loch Muick in Scotland, a favorite royal retreat.
Muick became a source of comfort during those quiet months and was often seen in photos with the Queen at Windsor. After her passing, Muick went to live with Prince Andrew, staying within the family.
Even in hard times, the presence of a loyal dog brought a bit of peace.
Sarah
Princess Margaret had a dachshund named Sarah who was often seen walking through the palace grounds. Margaret had a unique sense of style and personality, and her dog matched that spirit.
Sarah was known to dislike large crowds and often stuck close to her owner’s side during events. The dog may not have made many public appearances, but behind the scenes, she was a constant presence.
Margaret once called her “the only one who never judged.”
Bo’sun
Lord Byron, though not royalty in the official sense, lived like an aristocrat and had a dog named Bo’sun who meant the world to him. When Bo’sun died, Byron built a massive tomb for him—bigger than most people’s—and wrote a long poem for his grave.
The tribute still stands at Newstead Abbey. Byron once said he loved Bo’sun more than most people.
Even centuries later, the loyalty between a man and his dog still touches people.
When pets became palace legends
These animals weren’t just companions; they were part of royal routines, family memories, and even major historical events. Some offered comfort during heartbreak.
Others made people laugh or became symbols of a moment in time. From lap dogs to zebras, they’ve shown that royal lives are more personal than they appear.
And even in the world of crowns and titles, it’s often the pets wh
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