The Creative Solution of the Royal Dilemma
It has been almost 10 years since Prince William and Kate Middleton welcomed their first child, the future King George. Like all couples expecting a baby, the then Duke and Duchess of Cambridge struggled to choose the baby’s name. In their case, the matter was particularly challenging: they had to give a name to the future King of England. Traditionally, the name of a new member of the royal family cannot be arbitrary, but must contain a specific tribute to the ancestors of the Crown. Based on this custom, William and Kate considered a series of names, among which George and Alexander. But they couldn’t make a decision. So, as Time magazine tells, they came up with a creative way to solve the dilemma: they got help from Lupo, their beloved family dog. They wrote all the possible names on some pieces of paper, scattered them on the floor of the house, and then let the cocker spaniel into the room to see which name he would “choose”. Lupo sniffed George – a name that pays homage to George VI, father of Queen Elizabeth – and George was it.
The Passing of a Beloved Dog
The beloved family cocker spaniel died in November 2020. William and Kate, who had received him as a wedding gift in 2011, announced his passing with a touching social post: “Unfortunately, our dear dog, Lupo, died last weekend. He has been in the heart of our family for the last nine years and we will miss him very much,” they wrote, posting some photos of the animal. Adding: “For those who have never had a dog, it may be hard to understand the loss. Those who have loved a dog, however, know the truth: a dog is not just a pet; it is a member of the family, a best friend, a faithful companion, a teacher and a therapist. The loss of a dog is comparable to the loss of a loved one”.
The New Family Member
Today, the best friend of Princes George, Charlotte and Louis is a female spaniel named Orla, also a spaniel breed and a gift from Kate Middleton’s brother James. It was he who brought a dog back into the Windsor house in 2022. And Orla, who quickly became the joy of the whole family and the best playmate of the little princes, has already made an appearance in some photos of George, Charlotte and Louis.
