It’s tough being the Queen sometimes, and this is one of those moments. Queen Elizabeth II is deeply grieving the loss of her last corgi, Willow. According to Daily Mail, the nearly 15-year-old dog was put to sleep at Windsor Castle on Sunday, April 15. This happened just a few days after Prince Philip returned home from the hospital following hip surgery. Willow had been battling a cancer-related illness, and her passing marks the end of an era for the royal family.
While it’s never easy to make the decision to put a beloved pet to rest, the Queen knows it’s the kindest thing to do. “She does not like seeing her dogs suffer and she knows that sometimes putting a dog down is the kindest course of action — although that doesn’t make her loss any less,” a source from Buckingham Palace told the press. This heartfelt statement reflects the Queen's deep bond with her canine companions over the years.
Willow's Legacy and the Queen's Heartbreak
At 91 years old, Queen Elizabeth was deeply affected by Willow's passing. This corgi wasn’t just a pet; she was a cherished companion who had been with the Queen for nearly a decade and a half. The loss of Willow also signifies the first time since the 1940s that there won’t be corgis in the royal household. Over the years, more than 30 corgis have graced the royal palaces, each one leaving behind cherished memories. “She has mourned every one of her corgis over the years, but she has been more upset about Willow’s death than any of them,” the insider revealed. “It is probably because Willow was the last link to her parents and a pastime that goes back to her own childhood. It really does feel like the end of an era.”
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Willow: A Lifelong Companion
Willow was a 14th generation descendant of the Queen’s first corgi, Susan, who was gifted to her on her 18th birthday. For the Queen, Willow represented more than just a pet; she symbolized a significant thread running through her life from her teenage years to her 90s. “For many, many years she bred and raised corgis, and to think that the last one has now gone is something of a milestone,” a courtier shared. Willow’s legacy goes beyond being just another royal pet; she was a living connection to the Queen’s past, her parents, and the joy of her childhood.
A New Chapter for the Queen
Though Willow's passing is a significant loss, the Queen still has two other furry friends, Vulcan and Candy, who are corgi-dachshund mixes. Willow’s death comes just 18 months after the passing of another beloved corgi, Holly, who lived to be 13. As life moves forward, the Queen continues to cherish the memories she shared with her corgis and looks forward to the joy her remaining dogs bring to her days.
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