Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · June 22, 2025 · Entertainment

Royal Paws: How Prince William and Kate Welcomed New Canine Companions

A photo showing Prince William playing with a litter of puppies was shared by his wife Kate to mark his birthday on June 21. Their dog Orla, a gift from Kate's brother James, is believed to have given birth to the puppies

ROYAL ROMANCE: Prince William's Birthday Celebrated with Adorable Puppy Snap!

In a heartwarming celebration of his 43rd birthday, Prince William marked the occasion by sharing an unseen photograph of himself surrounded by adorable puppies! The Prince of Wales is seen sitting in a lush green field, indulging in some quality time with the furry friends.

But what makes this snap truly special is that it comes after a tumultuous year for the royal family. Both Princess of Wales Kate and King Charles have been battling health issues related to cancer, making this moment a much-needed respite from the drama.

Kate Middleton and Prince William are pictured with their pooch Orla while attending the Out-Sourcing Inc. Royal Charity Polo Cup at Guards Polo Club in Windsor in July 2022

So, who are these precious pups? Well, rumor has it that Prince William's family welcomed four new furry additions earlier this year after their beloved dog Orla gave birth! And get this - Kate's brother James Middleton, a renowned dog breeder, is believed to have gifted Orla to the royal couple in 2020.

Insiders claim that the Wales kids, George, Charlotte, and Louis, are absolutely smitten with the new puppies. In fact, a source spilled to The Scholarly Note that "the patter of tiny feet in the Wales's household had ended, so the sound of tiny paws will have to do." It seems like Orla and her little ones are all doing well!

Now, let's get to the juicy gossip - the names of these new additions haven't been revealed yet! And as for whether the Wales family plans to keep any of them, that remains a mystery. One thing is certain, though: everyone loves a good royal puppy update, and so do the three little royals!

Orla made an appearance in a portrait released to mark Princess Charlotte's seventh birthday in May 2022

But before we dive into the history of Orla and her adorable offspring, let's take a step back and remember when Prince William first fell in love with dogs. As a child, he had a beloved Labrador named Widgeon, who sadly passed away in 2010. It was more than just a pet - Widgeon was a cherished member of the royal family, providing comfort and companionship to William and his brother Harry during their childhood.

Fast-forward to 2020 when James Middleton gifted Orla to Kate and William. But before that, he had tried to get his own dog Ella to breed with another cocker spaniel named Spartan in 2011. That attempt was successful, and nine weeks later, Ella gave birth to five adorable male pups - including Lupo!

James recalled asking William and Kate if they'd like one as a belated wedding present: "All you have to do is choose your favorite." There in the box nestled the glossy black puppies. Catherine and William bent down to stroke their tiny muzzles," he wrote in his bestselling book Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life.

James Middleton, who is well known for his love of pooches, is pictured holding a litter of puppies

The couple eventually chose Lupo, who joined the growing family when he reached eight weeks old. That cocker spaniel became a key part of the then-Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's home.

Lupo even played a role in picking Prince George's name! According to James, "we wrote names on various pieces of paper and scattered them on the floor. Lupo wandered through them, but stopped when he reached the prince's name." Talk about an adorable naming ceremony!

When Prince George was born in 2013, William said, "For me Catherine and now little George are my priorities, and Lupo. He's coping alright...he's been slobbering around the house, so he's perfectly happy."

According to James Middleton, he felt that it would be good for his sister to have a dog so she'd have company when William was working away from home

Sadly, Lupo passed away at eight years old in 2020. The royal couple shared the news on Instagram, writing: "Very sadly last weekend our dear dog, Lupo, passed away. He has been at the heart of our family for the past nine years and we will miss him so much. - W & C".

During the pandemic, James managed to breed another of his dogs, Luna, and produced a litter of six puppies. Kate chose one of them, Orla, who is still part of the Wales family today.

In conclusion, Prince William's birthday celebration with the adorable puppy snap is just what we needed - a reminder that even in tough times, there's always room for joy and love. Happy birthday, Prince William!

The Prince and Princess of Wales pictured with their previous dog, Lupo, who died in 2020

Cocker spaniel Orla joined the Wales family in 2020 as a gift from Kate's brother James Middleton, who is well known for breeding dogs