Queen mourns the death of her very last corgi
The Queen is said to be extremely saddened by the loss of Whisper, who she took in in 2016 after its owner, a former Sandringham gamekeeper Bill Fenwick, died. Mr. Fenwick's late wife Nancy was known as the 'keeper of the Queen's corgis' and always looked after the royal pets when Her Majesty was away on tours.The Queen originally gifted the dog to the Fenwick's when it was still a puppy and because the Fenwicks looked after their corgis like the Queen, she knew there would be no problem if Whisper came to the Palace.
The Queen's adopting of Whisper came despite her saying some years ago she didn't want to have any more dogs - in part because it risked her tripping over one of the pets and also she didn't want to leave any young dogs behind.
The Queen quickly became very attached to the dog who over the last two years devotedly followed her from room to room throughout Buckingham Palace and accompanied her to meetings with dignitaries.
Whisper aged 12 is understood to have become ill some weeks ago but was well enough to travel back to Windsor from Balmoral at the end of the Queen's summer break. But alarmed by the dog's worsening condition, vets were called in last week while the Queen was at Windsor Castle and it was there that Whisper died six days ago as she was preparing to welcome the Dutch King Willem for the start of this week's State visit. It is not known what the cause of death was. But a number of corgis, including Willow, died from cancer-related illnesses.
Whisper is the second corgi Her Majesty has lost this year as her beloved Willow passed away in April. The death of any of her corgis has always hit her hard and Whisper's was no different, but she has been more upset about Willow's death than any of them because he was the last corgi of a long line of dogs she reared herself and which dated back to her first corgi Susan. Willow was also the last link to her parents and a pastime that goes back to her own childhood.
Corgis and dorgis leaving a plane
Her Majesty has kept corgis by her side since 1933 and the death of Whisper brings the 85-year tradition to an end. The dogs she is known for are no longer part of the royal household. The furry companions, who would travel with the Queen between her various homes, are synonymous with the sovereign, and plush versions are for sale in the palace shops.
However, she still has two dorgies, Candy and Vulcan, dachshund and corgi crosses, and some of some beloved Labradors kenneled mainly at Sandringham.
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28.01.2021
