Prince Andrew and ex-wife Fergie to care for the Queen's corgis

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By stefan armitage

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Ever since Queen Elizabeth II's passing, many people have wondered who would be taking on the responsibilities of her beloved dogs.

On Thursday, September 8, Buckingham Palace announced that nation's longest-reigning monarch had passed away at the age of 96.

Queen Elizabeth II is survived by her four children, eight grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and - of course -  her special four-legged friends - her corgis.

BBC News reports that it is believed Her Majesty had three dogs at the time of her death: two Pembroke Welsh Corgis - named Muick and Sandy - and a Dorgi (Corgi-Dachshund mix) called Candy.

The Mirror reports that the Queen also had a Cocker Spaniel named Lissy, who joined the family in January 2022.

Now, it has been reported that the Queen's son, Prince Andrew, and his ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York, will take on Muick and Sandy.

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Queen Elizabeth II joined by her Dorgi called Candy, as she views the memorabilia from her Golden and Platinum Jubilees. Credit: PA Images / Alamy

Speaking to the BBC, a source close to the Duke of York said: "The corgis will return to live at Royal Lodge with the duke and duchess. It was the duchess who found the puppies which were gifted to Her Majesty by the duke.

"The duchess bonded with Her Majesty over dog walking and riding horses, and even after her divorce, she would continue her great friendship with Her Majesty, by walking the dogs in Frogmore and chatting."

It has not been confirmed if Dorgi Candy will also be homed with the Duke and Duchess of York. There is speculation that Candy could be homed with a member of the Queen's staff, but the chances are the pooch will stay with Muick and Sandy, as they are used to her company.

It is not yet known what will happen to Cocker Spaniel Lissy, per the Mirror.

Queen Elizabeth II had more than 30 dogs during her reign, starting from the first one named Dookie, whom she received as a gift from her father, King George VI, at the age of seven.

For her eighteenth birthday in 1944, the then-Princess Elizabeth was given a corgi named Susan - once again as a gift from her father. Since ascending the throne in 1952, the late monarch owned more than 30 corgis, who have all lived a lavish, royal life.

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Queen Elizabeth II and Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor with Sugar, one of the Royal corgis. Credit: PA Images / Alamy

The late Queen reportedly decided to stop breeding corgis in 2015 so that none would be left behind when she died, but she received two as puppies, a Muick and a dorgi Fergus, from her son, Prince Andrew, after the death of her late-husband Prince Philip.

Sadly, Fergus died three months later, and so the Prince and his daughters, the princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, gave her another corgi named Sandy.

Featured image credit: Doug Peters / Alamy