Prince William and Kate Middleton announce their dog Lupo has died — rest in peace

No matter who you are, there’s nothing worse than experiencing the death of your dog. When we hear about a celebrity losing their beloved pet, we share their grief and pain.

Recently, two high-profile members of the British royal family announced the passing of of their dog—a pet who was truly fit for a king.

Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge and second in line to the British throne, and his wife Kate Middleton revealed on social media yesterday that their English Cocker Spaniel Lupo had passed away.

“Very sadly last weekend our dear dog, Lupo, passed away,” they wrote on Instagram. “He has been at the heart of our family for the past nine years and we will miss him so much.”

The royal couple got Lupo in 2012, a year before the birth of their first son, Prince George.

The dog was reportedly adopted in part to keep Kate company while William was deployed with the RAF to the Falklands Islands for six weeks.

“When Prince William was away in the Falkland Islands he went for dinner with some good friends of ours in the Air Force and he was saying how difficult it was for Kate because he was leaving for six weeks,” a source told Hello Magazine. “It was when they’d just got the spaniel to help her with the time apart.”

Lupo quickly became a beloved part of the royal family. According to the Daily Star, the couple even used the dog to help choose their first child’s name, pawing at a piece of paper that said “George.”

It’s clear Lupo was beloved by the whole family. Kate’s brother, James Middleton, posted his own loving tribute to Lupo, sharing in the couple’s grief.

“Nothing can ever prepare you for the loss of a dog,” he wrote on Instagram. “For those who have never had a dog, it might be hard to understand the loss. However for those who have loved a dog know the truth: a dog is not just a pet; it is a member of the family, a best friend, a loyal companion, a teacher and a therapist.”

“Rest in peace Lupo,” he wrote. “You will always be remembered and your legacy will live on forever.”

Rest in peace, Lupo. You will always be remembered as a beloved part of the royal family. Thank you for looking after William, Kate and their children when they needed comfort.

Share this story to memorialize this royal dog.