Prince of Wales beams with joy as he’s surrounded by Orla’s four new chocolate cocker spaniel pups in intimate portrait taken by Kate
Prince William has marked his 43rd birthday in the most heartwarming way – surrounded by a bundle of adorable puppies in a touching photograph taken by the Princess of Wales.
The future King was captured gazing adoringly at one of the chocolate cocker spaniel puppies while another clambered over his legs, in an intimate family portrait that has melted hearts across the nation.
Kensington Palace released the charming photograph on Saturday morning with a sweet message signed from Catherine, George, Charlotte, and Louis: “Happy birthday! Love C, G, C, L, Orla and the puppies!”
Royal Puppy Love
The photograph, taken by Kate in Windsor earlier this month on a sunny June day, shows William dressed casually in denim jeans and a dark green shirt, sitting on the grassy ground as he’s lovingly swarmed by the four pups.
Three of the adorable puppies can be seen in the photograph, with William stroking one while gazing into its eyes, as another adventurous pup climbs over his legs. Their mother Orla, the family’s beloved black cocker spaniel, can be spotted partially hidden behind the Prince.
The family’s dog Orla gave birth to four puppies last month, adding to the Wales household just in time for William’s special day.
Royal Canine Connection
This isn’t the first time Orla has starred in royal birthday portraits. Eagle-eyed fans will remember the cocker spaniel made her debut appearance in Princess Charlotte’s seventh birthday photographs in May 2022, when Kate captured the young princess hugging Orla in a field of bluebells.
Orla herself has a special royal connection – she was gifted to the family in 2020 by Kate’s brother James Middleton, who breeds dogs. The thoughtful gift came after the family’s devastating loss of their first dog together, cocker spaniel Lupo, who died unexpectedly in November 2020.
Everyone loves a new royal baby news and so new royal puppies run very close,” an insider told The Sun when news of the puppies first emerged last month.
Birthday Boy’s Brighter Year
The intimate portrait marks a significantly happier birthday for William compared to last year. While his 42nd birthday saw him attending Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour at Wembley with George and Charlotte – complete with a viral video of him dancing to “Shake It Off” – it came during what he later called a “brutal” 2024.
This year brings much brighter circumstances, with Kate having completed her cancer treatment in September and announcing in January that she is in remission.
In that glare of publicity and scrutiny, they are very tight, very close, very strong, and cancer has made them closer and stronger, which is very common in families facing these challenges,” a royal insider revealed.
Fan Reaction
Royal fans were quick to gush over the adorable photograph, with the post garnering thousands of likes within minutes of being shared.
“This is the absolute cutest! May you have a fantastic birthday with all those who love you best,” one fan commented.
“What a great pic. Happy birthday to the Prince of Wales,” another added.
A third wrote: “Happy birthday and thank you for sharing a photo of the puppies.”
Quieter Celebrations
It appears to be a more low-key birthday celebration for the Prince of Wales this year, in contrast to the star-studded concert outing of 2024.
King Charles also shared birthday wishes for his eldest son, posting a tribute on behalf of the royal family on his Instagram Stories.
The timing of the puppy photograph is particularly poignant, coming as Kate continues her careful return to public duties following her cancer battle. While she made a triumphant appearance at Trooping the Colour last weekend, she opted to skip Royal Ascot this week to focus on her recovery.
Puppy Heritage
The new puppies continue a long tradition of cocker spaniels in the Wales household. Their grandmother is Luna, one of James Middleton’s dogs and a sister to the late Lupo, making them part of an extended canine royal family.
James, who has built a successful dog food business, has been breeding cocker spaniels for years and clearly takes joy in keeping the royal family supplied with four-legged companions.
The Celtic name Orla, meaning “golden princess,” seems particularly fitting for a dog who has now produced her own little princes and princesses to bring joy to the Wales family.
THE ROYAL DOG DYNASTY
LUPO (2012-2020)
- Wedding gift from James Middleton
- First Wales family dog
- Featured in early Prince George photos
- Died unexpectedly November 2020
ORLA (2020-present)
- Gift from James Middleton
- Name means “golden princess”
- First appeared in Charlotte’s 7th birthday photos
- Mother to four puppies born May 2025
THE PUPPIES (2025)
- Four chocolate cocker spaniels
- Born last month
- Three featured in William’s birthday photo
- Future names yet to be revealed
