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Queen Elizabeth devastated by loss of her last remaining corgi

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PHOTO: Getty Images/Gallo Images
PHOTO: Getty Images/Gallo Images

Cape Town - The Queen was left heartbroken after the death of her last pedigree corgi, Willow, who was put to sleep at Windsor Castle on Sunday.

According to the Daily Mail, the dog had a cancer-related illness and Her Majesty didn’t want her much-loved pet, who was almost 15 years old, to suffer any longer.

The heartrending death brings to an end the Queen’s close association with the breed which began more than seven decades ago.

A Buckingham palace insider revealed that Queen Elizabeth II has been ‘hit hard’ by the loss of Willow, who has been her companion for all these years, reports The Telegraph.

“She has mourned every one of her corgis over the years, but she’s been more upset about Willow’s death than any of them,” the source said.

Willow was the last of the pure-bred corgis which were brought into the royal family by the Queen’s father, King George VI, and was the last link she had to her parents, according to HELLO!

“Willow represents a significant thread running through the Queen’s life from her teenage years to her nineties.  

“For many, many years she bred and raised corgis and to think that the last one has now gone is something of a milestone.

“It really does feel like the end of an era,” says the insider.

According to Metro, Willow has attended several high-profile appearances with The Queen, who has owned more than 30 corgis, and has even featured in Her Majesty’s official portrait to celebrate her 90th birthday back in 2016.

The dog has also featured alongside Daniel Craig for a sketch during the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony.

Willow has apparently been buried on Windsor Castle grounds.

Although not of the same pedigree as Willow, Her Majesty still has one last corgi, named Whisper, which she agreed to adopt. She also has two dorgis – a corgi- dachshund crossbreed – called Vulcan and Candy.

Sources: dailymail.co.uk, thetelgraph.co.uk, hellomagazine.com, metro.co.uk

(Photo: Annie Leibovitz/Facebook/@TheRoyalFamily)

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