Sarah Ferguson Shares How Queen Elizabeth's Corgis Will Be Celebrated on International Dog Day

Mar. 15, 2025

Sarah Ferguson’s Instagram tribute on International Dog Day, Aug. 26, 2024.Photo:Sarah Ferguson/Instagram

Sarah Ferguson/Instagram

Sarah Fergusonis giving a rare glimpse into life at home — withQueen Elizabeth’s corgis!

On Aug. 26, the Duchess of York, who is popularly known as Fergie, posted a festive message in honor of International Dog Day with a photo of her and the late Queen’s last surviving corgis, Sandy and Muick.

“Wishing you and all your furry friends a Happy #InternationalDogDay,” the Duchess of York wrote below theInstagramphoto, along with a dog emoji.

“For all the unconditional love, loyalty and joy they bring into our lives, Sandy and Muick will be getting an extra treat on their special day!” she added about how they were celebrating.

Fergie shared the upbeat update with a photo of her lying in the grass with Sandy and Muick. Fans had previously seen the picture in the Duchess of York’s Instagram post about her63rd birthdayin October 2022, where she praised the pups as “The presents that keep giving.”

In September 2022,PEOPLE confirmedthat Fergie and her ex-husband,Prince Andrew, inherited the dogs upon Queen Elizabeth’s death and would care for them atRoyal Lodge. The Duke and Duchess of York, along with their daughters,Princess BeatriceandPrincess Eugenie, had previously gifted Sandy and Muick to Queen Elizabeth in 2021. The monarch ownedmore than 30 corgisand “dorgis” (dachshund-corgi mixes) throughout her life.

Speaking to PEOPLE last year, Fergie joked that looking after the U.K.’s most famous pets came with some stress.

Sarah Ferguson with Queen Elizabeth’s corgis, Muick and Sandy, in February 2023.Zoe McConnell

“They’re with me a lot, and they think I’m very funny,” she added.

Thecorgis were a comfortto the Duchess last summer as she recovered from surgery following a breast cancer diagnosis. In June 2023, a representative for the Duchess of Yorktold PEOPLEshe was diagnosed with an early form of breast cancer at a routine mammogram and underwent a single mastectomy.

Fergiekept fans updatedlast summer about her recovery, and recapped a therapeutic walk she took with the dogs in a post onInstagramlast July.

“I took all 7 doggies yesterday to where Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth used to walk them. It was wonderful to have a moment to remember,” she captioned a carousel of flower pictures.

Sarah Ferguson with Queen Elizabeth’s corgis, Sandy and Muck, in February 2023.Zoe McConnell

Sandy and Muick were also on the Duchess' mind as she marked the first anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s death in September 2023.

“As we mourn a year on, we also celebrate the wonderful times we shared with Her Late Majesty the Queen. She entrusted me with the care of her corgis Sandy and Muick and I am delighted to say they are thriving,” she wrote last year, posting another photo of her with the corgis in the grass.

Corgis first stole Queen Elizabeth’s heart when she was just 8 years old when her father, the futureKing George VI, gave her a corgi named Dookie in 1933. Her love for the breed eventually led to a bona fide corgi dynasty, beginning with a dog named Susan whom the Queen (then Princess Elizabeth!) received as a gift for her 18th birthday.

Susan gave birth to Honey and Sugar and from there the corgi family tree expanded to include dozens of dogs that can be traced back to Susan, according tofan legend.

Princess Anne, Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip and the future King Charles walk with their dogs, Sugar and Candy, at Balmoral Castle in Scotland in August 1955.Bettmann Archive/Getty

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Queen Elizabeth opted tostop taking on corgis in the mid-2010sbecause she did not want to leave any dog behind when she eventually died.

She made an exception to the rule in 2021. Afterreceiving two puppiesthat March, and suffering the loss of one dog just weeks later, Prince Andrew reportedlygifted his motherwith a new puppy on what would have beenPrince Philip’s 100th birthday that June, following his death at age 99 on April 9, 2021.

Corgis were also incorporated in thefirst posthumous statueof the sovereign in Oakham, England, unveiled in April on what would have been her 98th birthday.

(Left) A new statue of Queen Elizabeth in Oakham, England, on April 22, 2024; Queen Elizabeth at the State Opening of Parliament in 2002.Carl Court/Getty Images; Tim Graham Picture Library/Getty Images

Carl Court/Getty Images; Tim Graham Picture Library/Getty Images

source: people.com