Nadia Smith’s corgi puppy Wilbur was already very special to her – but a surprise connection to the Queen has raised his status even higher.
Nadia, 28, had got her puppy in February 2021, but it wasn’t until after picking him up that she discovered the dog’s Royal bond.
After spotting a post on a Facebook group about the Queen’s newest corgi, Muick, Nadia realised that Muick and Wilbur had come from the same breeder – in fact, they were brothers, the only two in the litter.
Nadia and her partner, who live in Yorkshire, had even toyed with the idea of adopting Wilbur’s brother, too – but had decided against it.
Good thing they did, really, otherwise Queen Elizabeth II wouldn’t have landed Muick.
Nadia, who works in social media marketing, said: ‘I was in shock when I realised.
‘I originally thought it was a weird coincidence.
‘You never think anything like this will happen to you. It’s such a strange way to be connected to her.
‘We loved corgis because of The Queen. From seeing her with all her corgis, we thought if they’re good enough for her, they’re good enough for us!
‘With her passing, it’s so surreal, you somehow never think it’ll actually happen. Everything stood still.
‘When we went to get Wilbur, we picked up and cuddled the other puppy too.
‘We held the Queen’s actual corgi – and we own his brother!
‘”The Queen’s dog chewed my shoelaces” is not something you ever expect to say!’
When they realised who Wilbur’s brother was, Nadia and her partner had sent a letter and photos to the Queen to tell her.
She received a letter back from Paul Whybrew, the Queen’s loyal Page of the Backstairs, thanking her.
The letter said it was good to know that Wilbur is happy and doing well.
Nadia added: ‘I felt quite bad that his brother is in a palace and Wilbur is not!
‘But he really is the best. He’s so funny, and has so much personality.
‘He’s kind and sweet but also quite sassy. He makes people earn his trust, and teases people before letting them pet him.
‘But everyone loves him – he has more friends than me!’
Do you have a story to share?
Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.
MORE : The death of the Queen means corgi community has ‘lost part of their world’
MORE : Will King Charles and Camilla’s dogs make Jack Russells the new corgis?
MORE : Corgis and horses were only part of it – a look back at the Queen’s lifelong love of animals
