Prince William and Duchess Kate are mourning the recent death of their family dog, Lupo; a charming black English cocker spaniel who had been with the couple for nine years.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge shared the sad news via their @KensingtonRoyal Instagram account on Sunday. “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,” they wrote, alongside a photo of the pooch.
The couple, who recently marked the 10-year anniversary of their highly-anticipated engagement, first welcomed Lupo to their family back in 2012, roughly a year before the arrival of their first child, Prince George. The beloved pup was bred from a dog owned by Kate’s parents, Michael and Carole Middleton, and was gifted to the couple as a belated wedding present by Kate’s brother, James.
See Prince William and Kate Middleton’s official Instagram post about their dog Lupo here
Kate’s younger sibling also took to social media to post a touching tribute to Lupo. “Nothing can ever prepare you for the loss of a dog,” he wrote. “For those who have never had a dog, it might be hard to understand the loss. 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.”
In the intervening years, it was revealed that the Will and Kate desired a four-legged companion to help them transition through a particularly difficult period when the future king was preparing to leave for the Falkland Islands for a six-week deployment. Their new furry friend no doubt comforted Kate as the then-newlywed adjusted to life at Kensington Palace without her hubby.
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Lupo was photographed countless times over the years, and even made an appearance in Prince George’s first and second official family portraits.
