When Sarah Margaret Ferguson sat down with her two corgis one quiet morning at Royal Lodge in Windsor, she didn’t just see pets—she saw messages. "The late Queen speaks to me through them," Ferguson told The Telegraph in an interview published May 15, 2025. The statement, seemingly tender and surreal, sent ripples through royal watchers and dog lovers alike. After Queen Elizabeth II passed away on September 8, 2022, at Balmoral Castle, her three dogs—two Pembroke Welsh corgis named Muick and Sandy, and a cocker spaniel named Lissy—were distributed among family members. Ferguson, the Duchess of York and mother to Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, inherited Muick and Sandy. And now, she says, they’re more than companions. They’re conduits.
Why Corgis? A Royal Legacy
Queen Elizabeth II’s bond with corgis spanned nearly seven decades, beginning in 1933 when she received her first, named Dookie, at age seven. By the time she died, she’d owned over 30 of them, all descendants of her original corgi, Susan. The breed became synonymous with the monarchy. Photos of the Queen walking her corgis at Balmoral or Buckingham Palace were staples of British media. They weren’t just pets—they were symbols of continuity, of quiet devotion, of a woman who found comfort in animals when public life grew overwhelming. When Ferguson received Muick and Sandy, she didn’t just inherit dogs. She inherited history. Muick was a gift from the Queen in 2021 for Prince Andrew’s 62nd birthday. Sandy, older and more reserved, had been with the Queen since 2014. Both were part of her final years, often seen lounging beside her in the library or trotting behind her on walks. "They remember her," Ferguson said. "They pause when she used to walk into the room. They wait for her voice. And sometimes… I swear they look at me like they’re trying to tell me something."The Third Dog: Lissy’s Silence
While Ferguson took the corgis, the third dog—Lissy, the English cocker spaniel—was reportedly given to another royal family member, though no official confirmation has been made. Cosmopolitan reported on the same day that Lissy was "still in royal care," but declined to name the recipient. This silence speaks volumes. In royal circles, the distribution of personal belongings—especially those tied to a monarch—is often handled with discretion. Lissy, younger than the corgis and less emblematic of the Queen’s lifelong obsession with the breed, may have been kept closer to the center of the family. Or perhaps, as some insiders suggest, she’s being cared for by a trusted staff member who helped raise her. The absence of a public announcement about Lissy isn’t unusual. After the Queen’s death, her wardrobe, jewelry, and even her favorite teacups were quietly divided. The corgis, however, became emotional anchors. For many, the idea of a royal family member speaking to the dead through dogs might sound like fantasy. But for those who’ve lost someone deeply loved, it’s painfully familiar. Grief doesn’t always speak in words. Sometimes, it whispers in tail wags.
What the Public Thinks
Social media exploded after The Telegraph’s piece ran. #QueenSpeaksThroughCorgis trended in the UK and Canada. Memes showed the corgis wearing tiny crowns. One viral video showed Muick staring intently at a photo of the Queen on Ferguson’s mantel, then lying down as if in reverence. "It’s not supernatural," said Dr. Emily Hart, a canine behaviorist at the University of Edinburgh. "Dogs have extraordinary memory. They recognize routines, scents, even shifts in emotion. If Ferguson has changed her habits since the Queen’s death—her voice, her walk, her scent—the dogs are responding to those cues. But the meaning she assigns to it? That’s human. And that’s beautiful." Critics called it "performative grief." But many others, especially older Britons who grew up watching the Queen with her corgis, found it moving. "It’s the last thread," said 78-year-old Margaret Hargreaves from Bath. "She loved those dogs more than any crown. If Sarah feels her there through them… then maybe the Queen never really left."What Comes Next?
Ferguson has not indicated plans to breed Muick or Sandy, nor has she spoken of retiring them. Both dogs are now 11 and 13, respectively—well into their senior years. The Royal Family has not commented on the claims, as is customary. But sources close to the household say the Queen’s longtime head groomer, Alan Titchmarsh, still visits Royal Lodge monthly to check on the dogs’ health. He reportedly brings the same treats the Queen used to give them. There’s speculation that when Muick and Sandy pass, their ashes may be interred near the Queen’s final resting place at St. George’s Chapel. That would be a quiet, poetic end to a 70-year tradition. For now, the corgis remain at Royal Lodge, sleeping on the same velvet cushions they once shared with their owner. And every morning, Ferguson sits with them, sipping tea, whispering to them as if they’re listening.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Sarah Ferguson inherit only the corgis and not Lissy?
The Queen’s corgis were deeply symbolic—she owned over 30 in her lifetime, and they were her constant companions for decades. Lissy, the cocker spaniel, was a more recent addition, adopted in 2021 as a companion for the older dogs. While the exact reasoning isn’t public, it’s likely the corgis were given to Ferguson as a tribute to her connection with the Queen through Prince Andrew, while Lissy may have been kept closer to the core royal household or given to someone who helped care for her daily.
Is there any evidence the Queen really communicated with Sarah through the dogs?
No scientific or documented evidence exists. But many animal behavior experts agree that dogs can detect subtle emotional changes in their owners and react to familiar voices or routines. Ferguson’s interpretation is deeply personal, rooted in grief and memory. For many who’ve lost loved ones, attributing comfort to pets isn’t delusion—it’s healing. The dogs’ behavior may be ordinary; the meaning Ferguson gives it is profoundly human.
What happened to the other dogs the Queen owned?
The Queen’s final three dogs were Muick, Sandy, and Lissy. All others had passed away before her death in 2022. The last corgi bred under her care, named Willow, died in 2018. The royal household has never publicly confirmed whether any of the Queen’s earlier dogs were buried at Balmoral or Windsor, but tradition suggests many were laid to rest on the grounds where they lived.
Could this affect how the public views the monarchy?
It might deepen the emotional connection many feel toward the royal family. While younger generations may find the claim unusual, older Britons—who grew up with the Queen’s corgis in newspapers and TV—see it as a tender, authentic glimpse into her private life. It humanizes the monarchy at a time when public trust is fragile. The dogs, after all, were the one thing the Queen never had to explain.
