Princess Kate’s New Family Puppy: Orla’s Companion at Home

Key Points

• The Princess of Wales, Kate, aged 44, revealed during a visit to Hiut Denim in Cardigan, West Wales, on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, that the family has a new eight-month-old English cocker spaniel puppy alongside their existing dog Orla, who is five years old.​
• Kate expressed adoration for a company dog named Barney, crouching to stroke him and saying, “You are lovely!”, before telling staff, “We have the same breed of dog.”​
• When asked about her dogs’ ages, Kate responded: “So we’ve got a little puppy, he’s only eight months, and Orla’s five.”​
• Prince William and Kate reside at Forest Lodge in Windsor with their children: Prince George (12), Princess Charlotte (10), and Prince Louis (7).​
• Orla was gifted by Kate’s brother James Middleton in 2020; she gave birth to four puppies in May 2025, featured in a June 2025 birthday post for William signed by Kate, the children, “the puppies,” and a paw print emoji; the family reportedly planned to keep one puppy, though unconfirmed.​
• The family previously owned Lupo, who passed away in November 2020; William discussed this in October 2025 on Apple TV+’s The Reluctant Traveler with Eugene Levy, noting Orla is Lupo’s niece: “So [Orla’s] actually the niece of our other dog, Lupo, who sadly we lost in lockdown.”​
• The Instagram tribute for Lupo read: “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.”​
• Kate’s visit included Melin Tregwynt woollen mill in Pembrokeshire, where she learned double-cloth weaving and blanket processes; Hiut Denim was previously worn by Meghan Markle in 2018, sparking the “Meghan Markle effect” as noted by founders to BBC.​
• Hiut Denim founders credited Meghan’s Cardiff Castle visit with Harry for global attention: “When Meghan Markle wore our jeans we had the world’s press on our doorstep… it’s good for business.”​
• Kate’s family ties to textiles via paternal ancestors’ William Lupton & Co in Leeds; recent visits to tartan studio in Stirling (January 2026), and 2025 sites in Carmarthenshire, Suffolk, Kent, County Tyrone.​

Inverted Pyramid Structure

Cardigan (Manchester Mirror) February 03, 2026 – The Princess of Wales shared a rare glimpse into family life by revealing a new eight-month-old English cocker spaniel puppy during her visit to Hiut Denim textile manufacturers in West Wales today. Kate, 44, gushed over the company’s dog Barney, confirming the pet joins their five-year-old spaniel Orla at Forest Lodge home in Windsor with Prince William and their three children. This insight emerged amid engagements promoting British craftsmanship at Hiut Denim in Cardigan and Melin Tregwynt woollen mill.

Who Is the New Puppy in the Wales Family?

As reported in the original coverage from Hello! Magazine’s royal correspondent, the Princess of Wales disclosed the arrival of the eight-month-old puppy while interacting with staff at Hiut Denim. Crouching to pet Barney, an English cocker spaniel, Kate said: “You are lovely!” before adding to employees, “We have the same breed of dog.” When prompted, “How old are yours?”, she replied: “So we’ve got a little puppy, he’s only eight months, and Orla’s five.”​

The family, including Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7, shares a fondness for animals. Orla, gifted by James Middleton in 2020, underscores this bond. Last May, Orla birthed four puppies, celebrated in a June 2025 Instagram post for Prince William’s birthday, signed with Kate’s, the children’s initials, “the puppies,” and a paw print. Reports at the time suggested retaining one puppy, aligning with today’s revelation.​

What Is the History of the Waleses’ Beloved Dogs?

Prince William provided context on The Reluctant Traveler Apple TV+ series in October 2025, as recounted by Hello! Magazine. Speaking to Eugene Levy, he explained: “So [Orla’s] actually the niece of our other dog, Lupo, who sadly we lost in lockdown.” Levy asked, “Were you there? When it happened?”, prompting William’s response: “Yeah we were all there sadly, it was very sad.”​

The 2020 Instagram tribute detailed Lupo’s legacy: “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.” Orla appeared with William at the 2022 Royal Charity Polo Cup, highlighting her role. This lineage of spaniels reflects the family’s enduring pet tradition.​

Why Did Kate Visit Textile Sites in West Wales?

Kate championed Melin Tregwynt, a woollen mill in a remote Pembrokeshire wooded valley, weaving traditional Welsh designs. She joined weavers, learning double-cloth and blanket processes, as photographed by Andrew Parsons for Kensington Palace. Later at family-owned Hiut Denim in Cardigan, her second stop, the brand gained fame via Meghan Markle’s 2018 Cardiff Castle jeans during her first Wales visit with Prince Harry.​

Hiut founders told BBC of the “Meghan Markle effect”: “When Meghan Markle wore our jeans we had the world’s press on our doorstep, so our grand masters [workers]… have become used to being featured… it’s good for business.” Kate waved departing Melin Tregwynt, per Kensington Palace images.​

How Does Kate’s Visit Connect to Royal Textile Support?

This engagement follows Kate’s January 2026 Stirling tartan studio trip and 2025 visits to Carmarthenshire, Suffolk, Kent, and County Tyrone manufacturers. Her paternal ancestors owned William Lupton & Co, a Leeds woollen merchant, linking personally to the sector. These outings platform British textiles amid her advocacy work.​

The Princess’s hands-on approach—stroking Barney, discussing weaving—humanises her public duties. As Hello! Magazine noted, her West Wales day offered “rare insight into home life,” blending royal patronage with family anecdotes.​

When Did Orla’s Puppies Feature in Royal Posts?

Orla’s May 2025 litter starred in Prince William’s birthday social media, signed affectionately. No confirmation then on keeping a pup, but Kate’s February 3 disclosure fills the gap, suggesting one joined their Windsor menagerie. Orla’s polo appearance and Lupo tributes illustrate pets’ centrality.​

Where Do the Waleses Live with Their Pets?

Forest Lodge in Windsor serves as the “forever home” for Kate, William, their children, Orla, and the new puppy. This setting fosters the animal-loving environment Kate described warmly.​

Why Are English Cocker Spaniels Special to Royals?

The breed’s recurrence—from Lupo to Orla and now the puppy—ties to family gifts and continuity. James Middleton’s 2020 Orla present, her relation to Lupo, embodies this.​

Kate’s visits sustain royal textile ties, echoing Meghan’s Hiut boost while carving her path. Neutral observers note these moments balance public role with private joys, as evidenced across reports.