It's a good job we're allowed to hug our loved ones again, because if there's someone who probably needs one this week it's Queen Elizabeth. The monarch, after losing her husband early last month, is now grieving the loss of another family member: her new puppy, Fergus.
The Queen has always been a lover of dogs, having owned numerous corgis over the years. While Prince Philip was in hospital in March this year, her son Prince Andrew reportedly bought two new pets to keep his mother company. The pups - which were Dorgis, a cross between the Dachshund and Corgi dog breeds - were named Fergus and Muick by Her Majesty, in honour of her Mother's Scottish heritage.
But tragically Fergus has passed away, leaving just Muick remaining. Royal correspondent Rebecca English reported that the five-month-old puppy died at the weekend as a result of a heart defect from birth. He "did well to last as long as he did," she posted on Twitter.
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Buckingham Palace has declined to comment, but Hello! reports the Queen is 'devastated' at the sudden death of her new dog. Having had to say goodbye to her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, last month, it's more emotional toll the 95-year-old probably does not need.
Queen Elizabeth isn't the only royal to be mourning the loss of a pet recently. Her grandson Prince William and wife Kate Middleton lost their dog, Lupo, late last year. The couple shared the sad news on Instagram, uploading a portrait of the cocker spaniel along with a caption reading, 'Very sadly last weekend our dear dog, Lupo, passed away. He has been at the heart of our family for the past nine years and we will miss him so much.'
Shortly before Lupo passed away, the family got a new puppy from Kate's brother James Middleton, whose dog Ella was Lupo's mother.
Here's hoping William, Kate and the children will bring their puppy to Windsor Castle to play with the Queen's other dog, and give her some much-needed comfort while she processes her latest loss.
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Cat is Cosmopolitan UK's features editor covering women's issues, health and current affairs. news, features and health. The route to her heart is a simple combination of pasta and cheese (somewhat ironic considering the whole health writing thing), and she finds it difficult to commit to TV series so currently has about 14 different ones on the go.
