Sarah Ferguson Shares Update On Queen Elizabeth’s 2 Corgis, 1 Year After Monarch’s Death

Sarah Ferguson shared an update on two of Queen Elizabeth’s surviving corgis on Friday, on the one-year anniversary of the monarch’s death and King Charles’ accession.

The 96-year-old monarch “died peacefully” at Balmoral in Scotland on Sept. 8, 2022, after an astounding 70-year reign.

“As we mourn a year on, we also celebrate the wonderful times we shared with Her Late Majesty the Queen,” Ferguson, also affectionately known as “Fergie,” wrote on social media Friday.

“She entrusted me with the care of her corgis Sandy and Muick and I am delighted to say they are thriving,” Fergie shared, alongside a photo of herself with the two pups.

The late queen was known for her love of corgis, and owned over 30 dogs during her lifetime.

Though it was reported that the monarch was going to stop breeding corgis toward her last few years ― so she would not leave any of her animals behind after her death ― she was given two puppies by her son, Prince Andrew, during the coronavirus lockdown.

Though one of the dogs passed away shortly after being gifted to the queen, she was given another dog not long thereafter.

After the queen died in September 2022, Sandy and Muick were entrusted to the care of the Duke of York and Fergie.

The dogs memorably made an appearance at the queen’s funeral on Sept. 19, where they were shown waiting for their owner’s coffin to arrive at Windsor Castle.

Members of the Royal Household stand with the queen's royal Corgis, Muick and Sandy, as they await the wait for the funeral cortege on Sept. 19, 2022, in Windsor.
Members of the Royal Household stand with the queen’s royal Corgis, Muick and Sandy, as they await the wait for the funeral cortege on Sept. 19, 2022, in Windsor.

Justin Setterfield via Getty Images

Members of the royal family paid tribute to the late monarch on Friday, each in their own way.

King Charles released a statement and audio recording shared with HuffPost on Thursday, saying that “we recall with great affection her long life, devoted service and all she meant to so many of us.”

Prince William and Kate Middleton visited St Davids Cathedral in Wales, where the two honoured “Her Late Majesty and all that she did for communities like this around the UK, the Commonwealth and the world.”

In a personal message from the couple ― signed W&C ― the two also paid tribute to the queen on their social media accounts, writing “Today we remember the extraordinary life and legacy of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth. We all miss you.”

Prince Harry, who was in the UK on Sept. 7 for the WellChild Awards, spoke of his grandmother during a speech at the event.

“As you know, I was unable to attend the awards last year, as my grandmother passed away,” the Duke of Sussex said. “As you also probably know, she would have been the first person to insist that I still come to be with you all instead of going to her. And that’s precisely why I know ― exactly one year on ― she is looking down on all of us tonight, happy we’re together continuing to spotlight such an incredible community.”

On Friday, the duke visited St George’s Chapel in Windsor, where the late queen was laid to rest. She is buried alongside her husband, Prince Philip, as well as her father, mother and sister, Princess Margaret.

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Kate Middleton Dazzles In Sparkling Tiara For Charles’ First State Banquet As King

Kate Middleton donned a dazzling tiara at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday for a very special occasion: King Charles’ first state banquet as monarch.

The banquet was held on behalf of President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa’s state visit, which also marks the first state visit for Charles as sovereign. The trip was originally scheduled prior to the death of Queen Elizabeth II, who died in September at age 96.

The Princess of Wales wore the Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot tiara with earrings that once belonged to Princess Diana, as identified by Lauren Kiehna, the writer and editor behind The Court Jeweller.

Kiehna also identified that Kate paired the tiara with an equally stunning dress ― with bejeweled shoulders, no less ― from one of her favourite go-to designers, Jenny Packham.

Prince William dressed in white tie for the glamorous occasion.

The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive for a state banquet at Buckingham Palace for the president of South Africa on Nov. 22 in London, England.

Chris Jackson via Getty Images

The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive for a state banquet at Buckingham Palace for the president of South Africa on Nov. 22 in London, England.
A closer look at Catherine, Princess of Wales.

Chris Jackson via Getty Images

A closer look at Catherine, Princess of Wales.
President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort during the state banquet at Buckingham Palace.

Chris Jackson via Getty Images

President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort during the state banquet at Buckingham Palace.

Earlier in the day, the Prince and Princess of Wales greeted Ramaphosa at the Corinthia Hotel to kick off his two-day visit.

From there, the group traveled to Horse Guards Parade for a welcome ceremony, where they met Charles and Camilla before undertaking more engagements.

President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, King Charles III, Camilla, Queen Consort, Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales attend the Ceremonial Welcome at Horse Guards Parade on Nov. 22 in London.

Max Mumby/Indigo via Getty Images

President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, King Charles III, Camilla, Queen Consort, Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales attend the Ceremonial Welcome at Horse Guards Parade on Nov. 22 in London.

The Prince and Princess of Wales will soon undertake a visit of their own, as the two are making a trip across the pond next week to Boston, Massachusetts, for William’s second annual Earthshot Prize award ceremony.

“In 2022, we’re back and bringing Earthshot to the USA, where we’ll award the next five winners of the prize,” the duke said in a video back in July announcing the visit. “And we will be doing it right here in Boston.”

Hannah Jones, CEO of the Earthshot Prize, previously spoke with HuffPost in September about the significance of holding the award show in Boston.

“It’s the 60th anniversary, as you know, of the ‘Moonshot,’” Jones told HuffPost at the Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit in New York City. “And that was really a great source of inspiration to Prince William when he founded the Earthshot Prize, which was to try to inspire what President Kennedy inspired in the American people.”

Jones said that she hopes that this year’s award show “gives everybody inspiration and it rekindles that American mindset of turning the seemingly impossible possible.”

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Queen’s Piper Who Woke Her Every Morning Plays Different Role At Her Funeral

The man who woke Queen Elizabeth II on the last day of her life also put her to rest.

For decades, the queen’s personal bagpiper, known as Piper to the Sovereign, acted as her personal alarm clock by playing under her window at 9 am for 15 minutes at all of her official British residences.

Yet at the monarch’s funeral at Westminster Abbey on Monday, Pipe Major Paul Burns of the Royal Regiment of Scotland played a different tune, the Telegraph reports.

He closed out the queen’s funeral with a rendition of the traditional piece Sleep, Dearie, Sleep while her coffin was lowered into the Royal Vault beneath St. George’s Chapel, CNN reports.

Burns was the one who roused the queen out of her slumber on her final day at Balmoral Castle, according to the Telegraph.

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Queen Elizabeth II was a longtime fan of the bagpipes, but she is certainly not the first monarch to be captivated by Scotland’s national instrument.

The role of Piper to the Sovereign was established in 1843 by Queen Victoria, who became enamoured with the instrument’s unique sound during a trip to the Scottish Highlands with her husband, Prince Albert. Since then, there have been 17 chief pipers.

One of them, Scott Methven — who served Queen Elizabeth between 2015 and 2019 — spoke fondly of the late monarch to the BBC last week.

“It was a pleasure as her Majesty would stand and watch you play,” he told the BBC. “She enjoyed the bagpipes, but she got to know you as a person.”

Pipe Major Paul Burns plays at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey in central London on Sept. 19, 2022.
Pipe Major Paul Burns plays at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey in central London on Sept. 19, 2022.

FRANK AUGSTEIN via Getty Images

Methven also remembered a moment when the queen showed him kindness. He explained to the outlet that while he was serving her, his parents and wife died within an eight-month span.

“I was standing with the Queen and she said, ‘If you’re not here in the morning and you don’t play the bagpipes, then I know you’re away. Don’t wait to ask anyone, just go home if your family needs you because it’s family first.’”

He added: “She grabbed me by the arm again and said, ‘You know, Pipes, if anyone has a problem with that, you tell them that I said it was OK to go.’”

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