Queen Elizabeth ruled Britain for 70 years and 214 days. She died at 96 at 15:10 BST on 8 September 2022 at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. Her death marked a significant change in the history of the British monarchy. But, known for her fierce rule and prestige, her essence still lingers around the royal family.
The Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, recently claimed that Queen Elizabeth II was still sending her messages through the late monarch’s beloved corgis. Speaking at an event in London, the Duchess of York shared that she often feels Queen Elizabeth’s presence when the dogs, Muick (pronounced “Mick”) and Sandy, start barking for no reason.
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As per Radaronline.com, Queen Elizabeth, “I have her dogs,” Ferguson said. “Every morning, they come in and bark, and I’m sure it’s her talking to me.” After the Queen’s death, Ferguson and her ex-husband, Prince Andrew, took in the two corgis. The pair had gifted the dogs to the Queen in 2021.
“They are national icons,” she added. “Every time they bark at nothing, I believe the Queen is passing by.” Sarah Ferguson also said being the Queen’s daughter-in-law was an honor. “She was an amazing lady,” she said. The Queen was famously devoted to her corgis throughout her life. Over the decades, she owned more than 30 of them. With time, these corgis became the symbol of her rule.
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Many photos of the Queen and the corgis have been taken, which showcase her love for dogs. But the Queen began to slow down breeding her beloved pets in her later years. Following the death of her last corgi, Vulcan, in 2020, reports suggested she didn’t plan to raise more dogs, not wanting to leave any behind after her death.
Yet, in 2021, Prince Andrew gifted Elizabeth two puppies, Muick and Fergus (in honor of the Queen’s maternal uncle, Fergus Bowes-Lyon, who was killed in World War I), to uplift her mood after Prince Philip’s death on 9 April 2021. Prince Andrew wished to make the Queen feel better amidst the brutal COVID-19 lockdown that had put the whole world on hold.
Alas, Fergus passed away just weeks later, and another puppy, Sandy, was brought in as a companion for Muick. These two corgis remained with Queen Elizabeth until her death in September 2022.
As per Town & Country, Queen Elizabeth first claimed her fondness for dogs during a visit to the home of British nobleman Thomas Henry Thynne. Reportedly, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (later known as the Queen Mother) brought home a corgi puppy in 1933.
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The dog, named Dookie, became the first of many Welsh Corgis to join the royal home. Dookie, whose full name was Rozavel Golden Eagle, earned his nickname during training away from his family. Since he was bound for the household of the Duke of York (later King George VI), the staff started naming him “Dookie.”
Not long after, the royal family welcomed a second corgi named Jane. By 1937, the two dogs had become the favorites of Queen Elizabeth and her sister, Princess Margaret. Meanwhile, an article published by the outlet noted that brushing and walking the dogs was part of Elizabeth and Margaret’s daily responsibilities. Today, there is a special page dedicated to Elizabeth and her corgis.
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In addition to Dookie and Jane, the royal family kept golden labradors, a golden retriever, a Tibetan Mastiff, and a cocker spaniel—but the corgis, in particular, were the most loved. Today, as the world celebrates the royal family’s contributions and status and remembers Queen Elizabeth’s beautiful legacy, these dogs also play an integral part in the narrative forever.
