For the first time since WWII, the Queen will not have a corgi in her household.
Willow, the 14-year-old corgi who, according to the Guardian, was the “14th generation descended from Susan, a corgi gifted to the then Princess Elizabeth on her 18th birthday in 1944,” was recently put to sleep due to cancer-related complications.
The Queen’s last corgi, Willow, has been put to sleep https://t.co/v76ZH9untK pic.twitter.com/hqvvYeFLxL
— The Crown Chronicles (@crownchronicles) April 17, 2018
“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 apparently told the Daily Mail. “One comforting fact was that Prince Philip, recuperating from his hip replacement operation, was able to be with her at Windsor.”
“Willow represents a significant thread running through The Queen’s 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.”
#TheQueen’s last corgi, Willow, has been put to sleep, aged 14. She was descended from HM’s very first dog, Susan. The Queen‘s reported to have found the loss “extremely hard.” She still has two dorgis (corgi/dachshund cross): Vulcan and Candy. https://t.co/vXEfLx0adh
— James Brookes (@jamesbrookes_) April 17, 2018
The Queen still has two dorgis (dachshund-corgi mixes), named Vulcan and Candy. However, Willow was the last of the Queen’s corgis, as she decided in 2015 to stop breeding the dogs so as to not “leave any young dog behind” when she passes away.
The Queen has owned over 30 corgi breeds during her reign.
Current mood: living for this most Princess Margaret of all Princess Margaret stories a piece about the death of the Queen’s last corgi.https://t.co/Y7FZq1n5Fh pic.twitter.com/NpEywhf87u
— Chris McCrudden (@cmccrudden) April 18, 2018
Obviously, the public is rather distraught over the loss of one of the House of Windsor’s cuddly and lovable mascots.
she loved 14 generations of royal corgis and that all ended when willow had to be put to sleep ? this really is the end of an era ? https://t.co/yGRBANcz63
— janine wong (@xjaninewongx) April 18, 2018
Dear departed friend ? thinking of Her Majesty this morning having learnt the sad news that her last Corgi, Willow, died on Sunday. ♥ #willow #corgi #hmqueenelizabeth #queenelizabeth #darlingtweets https://t.co/WegBi5wBNS pic.twitter.com/poys4mte2S
— Alena Kate Pettitt (@darlingacademy) April 18, 2018
The last of the Queen’s corgis, Willow, has died aged 14. “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” said a Palace representative. Sob. pic.twitter.com/AqUxJ5dSq9
— Sunday Times Style (@TheSTStyle) April 18, 2018
Sad to hear that it is the end of an era for The Queen and her long line of beloved Corgis, after Willow was put to sleep. I’ve always adored this photo of Princess Elizabeth with Dookie, their first corgi. ❤ pic.twitter.com/Ir6pRZp8y0
— Katie (@katiesroyallove) April 18, 2018
Willow is likely to be buried in the pet cemetery on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, which was created by Queen Victoria when he beloved collie passed away.