Queen Elizabeth’s last corgi, Whisper, has passed away

Queen Elizabeth's last corgi has reportedly passed away.

The 92-year-old monarch had taken in 12-year-old Whisper, a "friendly chap", after his owner Bill Fenwick, a former Sandringham gamekeeper, passed away. The Daily Mail  report that Mr. Fenwick's late wife, Nancy, was known as the "keeper of the Queen's corgis" and is said to have looked after the royal pooches while she was away on tours. Queen Elizabeth is said to have gotten especially close to Whisper in the two years since she adopted him, with the corgi following her from room to room in Buckingham Palace. A source told the publication:

"Whisper was a friendly chap and followed her everywhere. The Queen has quickly become very attached to the dog. "The death of any of her corgis has always hit her hard and Whisper’s was no different."

Whisper reportedly became ill "some weeks ago", however he was well enough to travel from Balmoral back to Windsor at the end of the Queen's summer break. Vets were called to Windsor Castle last week after his condition worsened, and Whisper passed away. It is not known what his cause of death was. The news follows the death of Willow, the last corgi that the queen raised herself, earlier this year. Willow was the 14th generation of Corgi in the royal family, as the then Princess Elizabeth was given Susan as an 18th birthday present. Queen Elizabeth also has two dorgis - dachshund and corgi crosses - named Candy and Vulcan. They are said to be more familiar with her routine.