The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a breed originating from Great Britain. Corgis are small, short-legged dogs with pointy ears; they are active, intelligent, affectionate, and have great personalities. For centuries, corgis were herding dogs, perfect farm guardians, or childminders. It's no surprise, then, that Queen Elizabeth II of England chose them as her best friends.
At 90 years old, the monarch has four corgis. These dogs have won her heart and trust, and also, why not say it, a good place in Buckingham Palace. The Queen inherited her love for corgis from her father, George VI, who had one named “Dooki.” Soon after, “Jane” arrived. And when the Queen came of age, her father gave her a corgi they named “Susan,” who, despite being somewhat aggressive (after attacking several staff members, she had to be put in the care of a canine psychologist), was the Queen's most loyal companion for the fifteen years she lived in the palace.
Precisely in the palace, the four corgis currently owned by Elizabeth II have a room (the Corgi's Room) where each has an elevated wicker bed. The Queen's corgis live like royalty and have a specialist who prepares a personalized diet tailored to the needs of each of them. The Queen's dogs eat from a silver and porcelain bowl, in order of seniority. Their diet includes steaks, chicken breasts, a homemade sauce, and even typical UK pastries known as “scones.”
Currently, Elizabeth II no longer accepts more corgis, because she is afraid that, due to their short stature, they could cause her to fall. But without a doubt, she adores them. Proof of this is that two of them appeared alongside her and Daniel Craig in one of the promotional videos for the London Olympic Games in 2012.
All pets of the British Royal Family are buried in a small cemetery at Sandringham House, the 32-square-kilometer country estate owned by the family on the coast of Norfolk, in eastern England. The cemetery was founded in 1887 by Queen Victoria to bury “Noble,” her beloved Border Collie.
In general, the entire dynasty maintains its love for dogs and are "aristopets." In 1955, Elizabeth II gave her children Charles and Anne two corgis named “Whisky” and “Sherry.” Subsequently, the Prince of Wales had “Harvey,” a yellow labrador, and “Tigger,” a Jack Russell terrier who was his favorite. He now has four terriers, the latest of which was rescued from an animal shelter. The grandchildren have continued the tradition, and the most well-known is “Otto,” a black cocker spaniel.
It is clear that the British royal family loves dogs. Perhaps because when one has such a status, it is difficult to trust and open up to others. That's why they find in dogs an unconditional love and friendship that no one else in the world can offer them.