Royal Experts Discuss The Queen’s Corgis’ Change In Ownership That Many Didn’t Suspect
Certain aspects of Queen Elizabeth II’s life were naturally kept out of the spotlight, but her love of dogs wasn’t one of them. She absolutely adored her corgis, and she wasn’t afraid to show it! But having said that, the late British monarch’s passion for canines goes back much further than you may think. In fact, her deep-rooted affection has continued to have an impact on the animals even after her passing.
How it all started...
When did this love affair with dogs begin, then? Well, it happened long before Elizabeth was crowned Queen of the United Kingdom. The year was 1933, and she was just a seven-year-old princess enjoying a childhood in the royal lap of luxury. One day, though, the future monarch had a surprising request for her mom and dad.
Searching for a breeder
After noticing that friends of the family owned a corgi, Elizabeth wished to follow suit. So, not wanting to disappoint his young daughter, the Duke of York then started to look around to find the perfect dog breeder. His search ultimately led him to Surrey, England, where he met a woman by the name of Thelma Gray. She had an impeccable reputation in the breeding community.
Royal selection
Anyway, once the Duke outlined his daughter’s wishes, Gray went on to select three Pembroke corgis living at her kennel. From there, she took the dogs to his family home so they could pick out which one to adopt. In the end, the royals chose a tiny pooch named Rozavel Golden Eagle — and their decision wasn’t only influenced by his cute appearance!
The dog’s tail
Unlike the other two pups, Rozavel Golden Eagle had a tail. And while it was only small, that swayed the Duke and his family. Why? Simple: with the wag of his tail, the U.K. royals would have a better idea of his mood at home. Without one, that’d be a lot trickier! So, the young corgi was welcomed with open arms, and gained a new moniker along the way, too.
