The British royal family are known for their love of dogs – Queen Elizabeth II famously kept many corgis during her lifetime – and Camilla, the Queen Consort, has spoken about adopting her two Jack Russell Terrier dogs from London’s famous Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.
Writing for the book “Top Dogs: A British Love Affair“, by Georgina Montagu, 75-year-old Camilla says that she “couldn’t live without” her two pooches, Beth and Bluebell.
Dogs – “A Vital Part of Our Lives”
Bluebell had been found in the woods at just three weeks old. She was “starving and covered and sores”, with a docked tail and little fur, she explained. Meanwhile, Beth arrived at Battersea from a family who could no longer care for her.
“Battersea nursed [Bluebell] back to health and I fell in love with her when I visited their brilliant center in 2012”, she explained, “They are both colorful characters – and now I cannot imagine my life, my home or my sofas without them”.
She described dogs as being “a vital part of our lives: both as working animals; and, quite simply, as faithful friends”. She went on to discuss medical dogs and other canines who play important roles in our lives. Then, she conceded that while her own pups “cannot claim to have saved any lives”, she was “very proud of their resilience”.
The Royal Family’s Dogs
The Queen Consort shares Beth and Bluebell with her husband, King Charles III. The monarch has long kept Jack Russells, growing up with the breed.
As for the rest of the family, his elder son, Prince William, shared Cocker Spaniel Lupo with wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. However, the dog sadly died in 2020. Meanwhile, younger son Prince Harry and daughter-in-law Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, have three dogs. They have a black Labrador called Pula and two Beagles called Guy and Mia.
Princess Anne has had a number of Bull Terriers over the years. Meanwhile, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie are both fans of Norfolk Terriers.
