Kate Middleton and Prince William need no introduction. They are the power couple who redefined the traditional royal image and showed the world that a couple can be modern and smart yet deeply rooted in modesty, responsibility, and finesse. The couple, who had been married for fourteen years, tied the knot at Westminster Abbey in London on April 29, 2011, and share three sweet children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
The official residence of the Prince and Princess of Wales is Kensington Palace (they live there only during term time). Still, they lived with their three children at Adelaide Cottage on the Windsor estate for nearly three years. The royal family loves pets; hence, the family’s beloved cocker spaniel, Orla, has become an important member of the royal pack.
View this post on Instagram
According to The Mirror, the couple keeps their private lives away from the spotlight. Apart from their public appearances and news about professional commitments, little is known about their private family life. However, eagle-eyed media outlets are no less and will always find a way to collect information. After all, journalists always find a way to churn out a scoop, don’t they?
During a visit to Duchy College in Cornwall last year. Prince William spoke with visitor Louise Harland, who brought her dog, Jack. As it turns out, Prince William had a candid bedtime confession to share. According to Hits Radio Cornwall, Louise recalled that Prince William was completely in awe of her dog and asked about the breed—a rare “Cockerjack,” which William admitted he’d never encountered.
View this post on Instagram
Then came the surprise revelation: Orla, the couple’s dog (the name means “golden princess” in Gaelic), often shares their bed at night. “[William] said that his little dog sleeps on the bed with them at night, with him and Kate,” Louise shared. “He was absolutely in love with my little dog.”
Orla reportedly joined the royal couple after they lost their previous dog, Lupo, a cocker spaniel. It was a lovely wedding gift from Kate Middleton’s brother, James Middleton, who sadly passed away in November 2020. James’s dog Luna reportedly gave birth to six puppies, and Orla was one of them.
While there aren’t many pictures of Orla, unlike the late Queen Elizabeth’s corgis, in 2022, Orla appeared alongside Princess Charlotte in an official photograph marking the young royal’s seventh birthday. The pup also joined the family during a polo outing in 2023, cementing her place as a constant companion to the Wales family.
Meanwhile, beyond the couple’s beloved Orla (who gave birth to four puppies in 2025), the couple is immensely fond of animals. Prince William was spotted enjoying some lighthearted moments with guinea pigs, including one named Snowflake, during a visit to Woodgate Valley Urban Farm in 2024. As mentioned, Queen Elizabeth was also an ardent dog lover, and her infamous corgis (the ones that are left) still hold an essence of her.
View this post on Instagram
The Queen, who ruled the United Kingdom for more than 70 years, 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. On another note, Queen Elizabeth gifted Kate and William Anmer Hall in Norfolk and Adelaide Cottage on the Windsor estate. (via Discover Britain).
The 10-bedroom Georgian mansion, built in 1802, is part of the Sandringham Estate. In 2017, the family decided to make Anmer Hall their country retreat. In 2022, they moved to Windsor, which allowed them to be near the Queen and the kids’ school near the cottage.
