William’s love for dogs and how Kate’s brother gave the couple Lupo

Prince William still misses his beloved childhood pet Labrador Widgeon, according to a new book.

The loyal Labrador, who passed away in 2010, was more than just a pet; he was a beloved member of the royal family who provided comfort and companionship to William and his brother Harry during their childhood.

Now James Middleton discloses in his new book, Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life, that he gave his sister Princess Kate and William their latest dog, Orla, a black English cocker spaniel in 2020.

William’s love for dogs was shown during a recent engagement at the Duchy College Stoke Climsland in Cornwall.

While mingling with the crowd of well-wishers, the Prince of Wales fussed over a woman’s puppy and told her that he and Princess Kate allow their pooch to sleep in their bed.

‘[He was] absolutely in love with my little dog,’ Louise Harland told Hits Radio Cornwall. ‘Jacks came and met him.’

‘[He] said that his little dog sleeps on the bed with them at night, with him and Kate,’ she added. 

But Orla isn’t the first pooch Mr Middleton has given to his sister’s family – Lupo was the first. 

Mr Middleton revealed in his new book how he tried to get his own dog Ella to breed with another cocker spaniel named Spartan.

His attempt was successful and nine weeks later, Ella gave birth to five male pups, including Lupo.

Mr Middleton recalled how he asked William and Kate if they would like one, ‘as a belated wedding present’.

‘All you have to do is choose your favourite,’ he said to the couple.

‘There in the box nestled the glossy black pups. Catherine and William bent down to stroke their tiny muzzles,’ Mr Middleton wrote in his bestselling book.

The couple were soon set to move to Anglesey for William’s work as an RAF search and rescue helicopter pilot and had to carefully consider the new addition.

‘I reasoned that a puppy would be company for Catherine on the nights he was away on duty,’ Mr Middleton added.

They eventually chose one of the puppies, and named him Lupo, who joined the growing family when he reached eight weeks old. 

Lupo would become a key part of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s home.

The couple were photographed with the six-month-old cocker spaniel at a charity polo event in Gloucestershire in 2012.

When the match was over and William had dismounted, he swept Lupo into his arms and showered the pup with kisses. 

Other royals turned out for the event including Zara Phillips and her husband Mike Tindall as well as Peter Phillips’ former wife Autumn with their daughter Savannah.

The 18 month old took a shine to Lupo and was given an early lesson in dog training from Kate, who showed her how to hold his leash, while the dog stood obediently.

Lupo is also believed to have helped them pick a name for Prince George.

The couple are said to have written names on various pieces of paper and scattered them on the floor.

Lupo wandered through them, but stopped when he reached the prince’s name.

The cocker spaniel even featured in a photo of the couple with new-born George and would go on to spend time with all three of the couple’s children. 

Speaking shortly after Prince George’s birth in 2013, Prince William said: ‘For me Catherine and now little George are my priorities, and Lupo.

‘He’s coping alright, as a lot of people know who’ve got dogs and bringing a newborn back, they take a little bit of time to adapt, but he’s been alright so far, he’s been slobbering around the house, so he’s perfectly happy.’

Sadly, Lupo passed away at eight years old in 2020. 

William and Kate shared the news on Instagram at the time and wrote: ‘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’. 

Mr Middleton shared his own tribute to the dog and posted on  

During the pandemic, Mr Middleton managed to breed another of his dogs, Luna, and produced a litter of six puppies.

Mr Middleton recalled how Kate chose one of the new pups and the family named her Orla.

Another key member of the family, Orla even featured in a photo to mark Princess Charlotte’s eight birthday last year.