All About Kate Middleton and Prince William’s Rarely-Seen Cocker Spaniel, Orla
The pup made a surprise appearance in the princess's cancer update video.
Kate Middleton's brother, James Middleton, is famous for his love of dogs—as noted in his memoir, "Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life." But the royal sibling isn't the only one who has a soft spot for canine companions.
The Prince and Princess of Wales have owned two black cocker spaniels over the years: Lupo, who passed away in 2020, and Orla, their current pup.
But Orla, who was given to the couple by James before Lupo's death, has been seen by the public on very few occasions until she was spotted in the princess's cancer update video on Sept. 9.
The cocker spaniel ran alongside the royal couple and their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, at the beginning of the clip, which was released to announce the princess had finished chemotherapy treatment.
She also trotted in the background while the family enjoyed a picnic and sat with the Prince and Princess of Wales on a beach later in the video.
And while Orla posed in Princess Charlotte's sweet seventh birthday photos, the only time she's appeared in public is when the Waleses attended the 2022 Royal Charity Polo Cup.
The couple kept their dog's existence a secret until January 2021, despite receiving the puppy at some point in 2020 from James, who bred a litter of puppies from Lupo's sister, Luna.
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
A source told The Mail on Sunday that the prince and princess wanted a puppy to "give Lupo some company and give him a little more life and energy," but sadly, the 9-year-old cocker spaniel died in November 2020.
"They were devastated when Lupo passed away," the insider added, with William and Catherine writing on social media that the dog had "been at the heart of" their life on social media at the time.
Luckily, little Orla was there to lift their spirits, and her moniker has an especially fitting meaning for a palace pup. The Celtic name Orla—which is a popular girl's first name in Ireland today—means "golden princess."
However, the Wales family kept her name a secret until their 2022 polo outing, where the couple sweetly played with their black spaniel.
Perhaps we'll be seeing more from the royal pup following Orla's starring moment on social media this month.
Kristin Contino is Marie Claire's Senior Royal and Celebrity editor. She's been covering royalty since 2018—including major moments such as the Platinum Jubilee, Queen Elizabeth II’s death and King Charles III's coronation—and places a particular focus on the British Royal Family's style and what it means.
Prior to working at Marie Claire, she wrote about celebrity and royal fashion at Page Six Style and covered royalty from around the world as chief reporter at Royal Central.
Kristin is also the published author of two novels, “The Legacy of Us” and “A House Full of Windsor.”
-
No Party Smells Better Than the 'Marie Claire' Fragrance Awards
The industry's top players all gathered for a toast to perfume.
By Samantha Holender Published
-
Heidi Klum Teases Yet Another Outrageous Costume for Halloween 2024
"Prosthetics need to be made, fittings have to be had."
By Kristin Contino Published
-
We're Catching On to Blake Lively's Favorite High-Low Formula
She wore it twice in two days.
By Hanna Lustig Published
-
Meghan Markle Wasn't Cropped Out of Prince Harry's 40th Birthday Post by the Royal Family
Royal sources refuted allegations of a Buckingham Palace snub.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Prince William and Prince Harry "Unified" After the Death of Their Mother Princess Diana
"Please, please remember, don’t ever forget that you’re brothers."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
James Middleton Says Sister Kate and the Rest of His Family Are More Open About Mental Health After His Depression Battle
"I know they're proud of me for telling my story."
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Kate Middleton and Prince William Secretly Helped a London Food Bank Get Back on Its Feet
The food pantry was robbed on Sept. 8.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Prince William Secretly Visited a New Helicopter Base After Hinting He Wants to Fly Again
The Prince of Wales reportedly "surprised people at the event."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Prince William Hates Playing Card Games With the "Fiercely Competitive" Middleton Family
"William would flinch at our ruthless determination to win at all costs."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Princess Kate Was "Influential" in "Softening" Prince William's Approach to Old "Grudges"
"Perhaps she has persuaded William that life is too short."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
James Middleton Shares the Low-Key Way He Found Out Sister Kate Was Engaged to Prince William
"Did he deserve my sister? He had to earn my trust."
By Kristin Contino Published