Princess Kate Middleton marked her husband Prince William’s 43rd birthday with the release of a new portrait, which also served as the official debut of some adorable (and furry) family members.
“Happy birthday,” Kate, 43, wrote in her Saturday, June 21, Instagram caption. “Love C, G, C, L, Orla and the puppies! 🐾.”
The note was signed by the Princess of Wales and the couple’s three children — Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7 — in addition to their Cocker Spaniel, Orla. The family’s dog had welcomed three puppies earlier this year.
Kate, a self-proclaimed amateur photographer, snapped a pic of William dressed casually in a pair of denim jeans and an olive button-down as he sat on the ground with the four canines. He sweetly pet one of the puppies while Orla and the other two ran around him on the grass.
William and Kate, who have been married since 2011, have long been puppy parents. They first adopted Lupo in 2012, nine years before he died in November 2020.
“Very sadly, last weekend our dear dog, Lupo, passed away,” William and Kate wrote via Instagram in November 2020. “He has been at the heart of our family for the past nine years, and we will miss him so much.”
Lupo was gifted to the prince and princess by Kate’s younger brother, James Middleton.
“Nothing can ever prepare you for the loss of a dog. For those who have never had a dog, it might be hard to understand the loss,” James noted in his own Instagram tribute after Lupo’s death. “However, for those who have loved a dog know the truth: a dog is not just a pet; it is a member of the family, a best friend, a loyal companion, a teacher and a therapist.”
He added, “There isn’t much of a rule book on how to grieve for a dog, but I’ve said a prayer, lit a candle and taken Ella (Mum) for a long walk to spend time remembering Lupo. Rest in peace, Lupo. Tilly and Mini will be waiting for you. You will always be remembered, and your legacy will live on forever. Good Boy.”
James, now 38, presented William and Kate with Orla as a gift the next year. Orla has even accompanied the pair on official engagements, like a 2022 polo match, as they often discussed their fur-ever bond.
“[William] said that his little dog sleeps on the bed with them at night, with him and Kate,” a royal fan told Hits Radio Cornwall in October 2024 after meeting William during a local walkabout.
News broke last month that Orla had given birth to a litter of puppies, which the entire family was reportedly “very excited” about.
