Gifted to the Queen in 2021 by himself and his two daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugiene, it has been confirmed that young corgis Muick and Sandy will be looked after by Prince Andrew and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson following the death of the Queen last Thursday.
"The corgis will return to live at Royal Lodge with the duke and duchess. It was the duchess who found the puppies which were gifted to Her Majesty by the duke,” a spokesperson close to the Duke of York told BBC News.
"The duchess bonded with Her Majesty over dog walking and riding horses, and even after her divorce, she would continue her great friendship with Her Majesty, by walking the dogs in Frogmore and chatting."
Prince Andrew and his daughters initially gave the Queen Muick and another puppy named Fergus during the 2021 spring lockdown as a way to cheer her up while her husband, the late Prince Philip, was in hospital.
Sadly, Fergus died at just five months of age from a suspected heart defect, leaving the Queen heartbroken. On her 95th birthday, Prince Andrew gifted his mother another corgi puppy, Sandy, and according to the Queen’s dresser and longtime friend, Angela Kelly, the duo proved to be a constant joy.
“I was worried they would get under the Queen’s feet, but they have turned out to be a godsend. They are beautiful and great fun and the Queen often takes long walks with them in Home Park,” Kelly said not long after Sandy joined Muick.
The Queen’s lifelong love of corgis was well known, with Her Majesty having owned more than 30 corgis and dorgis over a span of six decades. Many were descendents of Susan, the first corgi the Queen ever owned which was a gift from her father on her 18th birthday.
Despite being divorced since 1996, the Duke and Duchess of York still live together at Royal Lodge in Windsor, so news that they will take on the role of caring for Muick and Sandy has come as no surprise.
The prince and his ex-wife have remained close over the years, and Sarah, in turn, continued to share a warm and loving relationship with the Queen.
Describing her as "the most incredible mother-in-law and friend" the Duchess of York said over the weekend that she would miss the Queen "more than words can express.”
