The Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales have introduced a brand new member to their household.
The couple are already parents to three children — Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis — but this latest arrival isn’t another baby.
Meet Otto the Puppy
In a post shared on their official X account on Friday (1 May), William and Kate revealed that they had adopted a dog.
The announcement included an adorable photo of a chocolate-colored puppy with soft features and warm hazel eyes, gazing sweetly at the camera. The pup appears to be a Cocker Spaniel, or at least part of the spaniel family.
“Welcome to the family, Otto! 1 today,” William, 43, and Kate, 44, wrote in the caption.
The name Otto comes from Old High German and is believed to mean “wealth,” “fortune,” or “prosperity” — a fitting choice for a royal pet.
A Familiar Face in Recent Photos
Although his name wasn’t revealed at the time, Otto had already made a quiet appearance in a previously shared family photo.
The image, posted on Wednesday (29 April) to celebrate William and Kate’s 15th wedding anniversary, showed the couple relaxing together in a meadow. While William cuddled their other dog, Orla — a black cocker spaniel — Otto could be seen nestled close to his head.
Fans React to the New Arrival
Royal fans quickly flooded social media with warm messages for the new pup.
One user wrote: “Love the name. What a handsome boy. I hope Otto is being spoilt on his 1st birthday.”
Another commented: “Awwww Otto is adorable. And very photogenic (just like you all).”
A third added: “Oh what a beautiful dog. He’s lovely. There’s mischief in those eyes for sure. Happy Birthday Otto. Hope you have lots of fun and cuddles little one!”
Someone else also pointed out: “A brilliant photo considering how notoriously difficult it is to capture a dog looking directly at a camera! Especially at that age!”
A Long Royal Tradition of Dogs
The addition of Otto continues a long-standing tradition of dog ownership within the British royal family.
Queen Elizabeth II was famously devoted to her dogs, helping cement the image of the UK as a nation of animal lovers.
Historic Royal Dog Breeds
The history of royal pets stretches back centuries. In the 17th century, King Charles II popularized the King Charles Spaniel, a breed often seen in portraits of the era.
Later, Queen Victoria kept a wide variety of dogs during her reign, including spaniels and Pomeranians, while her husband Prince Albert favored Clumber spaniels and greyhounds.
King Edward VII was known for his love of terriers, particularly his dog Caesar of Notts. His son, King George V, continued that tradition and also showed interest in working dogs like Labradors.
The Famous Royal Corgis
Although often associated with Queen Elizabeth II, Corgis were first introduced to the royal family in 1933 by King George VI, who brought them home for his daughters, including the future queen and Princess Margaret.
Elizabeth later became inseparable from the breed, owning many throughout her lifetime. One of her most famous dogs, Susan — a gift for her 18th birthday — became the ancestor of generations of royal Corgis.
With Otto now part of the Wales family, the royal love for dogs clearly continues into the next generation.
