One might think that everything in Kensington Palace is done according to perfect protocol. It turns out, though, that the British aristocracy’s unusual bedtime companion is their cocker spaniel, Orla.
Prince William almost unintentionally disclosed during a visit to Duchy College in Cornwall that his dog shares a bed with him and Catherine, revealing that the dog is not only a member of the family but also a part of their most private moments. An oddity that humanizes the future British king and makes him more relatable to anyone who has ever felt the irresistible allure of a pet taking up residence on the pillow.
Photo: Jacob King
While William was petting another dog named Jacks and telling his owner Louise Harland about it, this tender moment happened by accident. He was “absolutely delighted with my little dog” because he had never seen a dog like that before, she recalled on Hits Radio Cornwall, adding that Orla also sleeps in his bed at night. He had previously mentioned to other dog owners that they planned to breed Orla and so increase the size of the royal dog family.
After six puppies were born in 2020, Catherine’s brother James Middleton gave Orla to the family as a gift. Lupo, a cocker spaniel who had been a member of the royal family for nine years, passed away shortly after. The small dog, whose name translates to “golden princess” in Celtic, thus filled that gap.
With the exception of appearances at special occasions like the Royal Charity Polo Cup last summer or the official portrait for Princess Charlotte’s birthday in 2022, the dog has actually not been seen very often. Nonetheless, her presence is unquestionably a part of the Wales family’s most charming private moments.
The princes’ lives are made happier by more than just Orla, though. William revealed during a visit to Woodgate Valley Urban Farm that his kids also have a guinea pig named Snowflake. However, he acknowledged that occasionally they neglect to clean the animal’s cage, so he has to do it himself to keep it in top shape.
It seems that even the most royal of households can’t resist the charm of furry companions. At Kensington Palace, the future King of England, Prince William, and his family are no exception. Their cocker spaniel, Orla, has found herself not only part of the royal family’s daily life but also their most intimate moments, as William accidentally revealed during a casual chat with a dog owner during his visit to Duchy College in Cornwall.
The Prince shared that Orla often sleeps in bed with him and Catherine, showing that even royalty isn’t immune to the comfort of having their beloved pet nearby. This lighthearted moment, where William gushed over his four-legged friend, has endeared the royal family even more to the public, as many can relate to their special bond with their pets.
Orla became part of the Wales family in 2020, following the sad loss of their previous dog, Lupo, who had been with them for nine years. A gift from Catherine’s brother, James Middleton, Orla quickly filled the void left by Lupo and became a cherished member of the family. Her name, meaning “golden princess” in Celtic, is fitting for a dog that brings so much warmth and joy to the royals.
While Orla mostly remains out of the public eye, she occasionally makes appearances at key family events, such as Princess Charlotte’s 8th birthday portrait, where the young princess posed with the family dog. These glimpses of the Wales family’s private moments—whether walking with Orla or cuddling up at night—humanize the royals and reveal the simple pleasures they find in everyday life with their pets.
It’s not just Orla who brings happiness to the Wales household. During a visit to Woodgate Valley Urban Farm, William also mentioned that his children—George, Charlotte, and Louis—have a guinea pig named Snowflake. However, like many families, the royal children sometimes forget to clean their pet’s cage, leaving it to William to step in and take care of the task.
These small, relatable anecdotes offer a charming insight into the royal family’s day-to-day life, reminding us that, in many ways, they are just like any other family who cherishes their pets and shares responsibilities in caring for them.
