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At Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral on September 19, 2022, the world paused to witness the farewell of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch. Among the many dignitaries, world leaders, and royal family members present, one small but deeply emotional scene captured global attention. Standing quietly on a ceremonial red carpet were her final two corgis, Muick and Sandy. The dogs waited patiently as the Queen’s coffin passed by, creating an image that moved millions. For many viewers, the moment symbolized the simple and genuine bond she had always shared with her beloved animals. But after the funeral ended, many people began asking the same question: what would happen to the corgis now?
Their story, however, stretches much further back in time—nearly eight decades earlier—and begins with a single dog that would shape a unique royal tradition.
In 1944, during the difficult years of the Second World War, the young Princess Elizabeth celebrated her 18th birthday. Her father, King George VI, gave her a small but meaningful gift: a two-month-old Pembroke Welsh corgi puppy named Hickathrift Pippa. Elizabeth quickly renamed the puppy Susan, and from that moment the two were inseparable. Susan became more than just a pet; she was a constant companion during the princess’s early adult life.
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When Elizabeth married Prince Philip in 1947, Susan even accompanied them on their honeymoon. Hidden beneath blankets inside the royal carriage, the dog secretly traveled with the newly married couple to Scotland. The incident revealed just how important Susan was to Elizabeth.
Susan later became the foundation of a remarkable royal legacy. In 1949 she gave birth to her first litter of puppies, beginning a carefully managed breeding line. Over the next several decades, every corgi owned by Queen Elizabeth II descended from Susan. In total, the lineage grew to include more than 30 dogs across 14 generations. The Queen’s affection for corgis became one of the most recognizable aspects of her personality, appearing in photographs, public appearances, and even official events.
This long tradition finally came to a symbolic end in April 2018 when Willow, the last direct descendant of Susan, died after battling cancer. Willow represented the final link to the original dog who had entered Elizabeth’s life in 1944. Her death deeply affected the Queen, marking the end of a lineage that had lasted 74 years.
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Years earlier, Elizabeth had already decided to stop breeding corgis. Her reason was surprisingly thoughtful. She reportedly explained that she did not want to leave behind young dogs who would outlive her and feel abandoned. It was a decision rooted in compassion: she preferred to avoid having new puppies that might lose their owner when she passed away.
For a time, Windsor Castle grew quieter without the lively presence of corgis running through its halls. Only an elderly “dorgi”—a dachshund-corgi mix named Candy—remained.
Then came 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many people around the world, the elderly monarch experienced isolation during lockdowns. Around the same period, her husband Prince Philip faced serious health problems. Seeing his mother’s loneliness, Prince Andrew decided to surprise her with two new puppies. Along with his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, he arranged the gift.
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The puppies were found by Sarah Ferguson, Andrew’s former wife. One was a corgi named Muick, named after a lake near Balmoral Castle that the Queen loved. The other was a dorgi puppy named Fergus. The Queen reportedly adored them immediately, despite having previously decided not to raise young dogs again.
Tragically, Fergus died only five months later due to a heart condition. To help ease the loss, Andrew and his daughters later gave the Queen another corgi puppy named Sandy. From that point on, Muick and Sandy accompanied the Queen throughout the final chapter of her life. They lived with her at Windsor Castle and Balmoral, remaining by her side until her death on September 8, 2022.
Eleven days later, the world witnessed the Queen’s state funeral. As her coffin arrived at Windsor Castle, Muick and Sandy stood quietly nearby. Wearing red collars and accompanied by a royal groom, they waited as the procession passed. Photographs of the moment quickly spread worldwide. For many observers, the sight of the loyal dogs waiting for their owner added a deeply human element to the grand and historic ceremony.
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After the funeral, attention shifted again to the corgis’ future. Soon it was confirmed that Prince Andrew would take responsibility for Muick and Sandy. Since he had originally gifted the dogs to the Queen, the arrangement seemed natural. At the time, Andrew was living at Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park with Sarah Ferguson, despite their divorce many years earlier. Their daughters lived nearby, and the dogs were already familiar with the household.
Ferguson spoke publicly about caring for the animals, describing them as “national treasures.” She often shared updates about their well-being and joked that whenever they barked unexpectedly, she sometimes imagined the Queen’s spirit passing by.
For a while, the corgis appeared to have found a peaceful new home. However, circumstances surrounding Prince Andrew soon complicated matters. His longstanding association with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein had already damaged his public reputation, leading him to step back from royal duties in 2019. In 2021 he faced a civil lawsuit in the United States related to allegations connected to Epstein. Although the case was settled in 2022 without an admission of guilt, the controversy continued to follow him.
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Years later, further investigations reportedly intensified scrutiny around Andrew’s past activities. Amid growing pressure and major changes within the royal household, he was eventually asked to leave Royal Lodge and relocate to a smaller residence at Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk.
These changes once again raised questions about the corgis’ future. Reports suggested that Muick and Sandy moved with Andrew to the Sandringham property. With Sarah Ferguson now spending much of her time living elsewhere, Andrew appeared to take on greater responsibility for the dogs’ daily care.
Despite the upheaval surrounding royal controversies, one detail remains reassuring: the dogs are reportedly healthy and well looked after. Their lives have moved from palace corridors to a quieter countryside estate, but they remain part of the royal family’s extended household.
In many ways, the story of Muick and Sandy reflects the deep bond Queen Elizabeth II shared with her animals throughout her life. From Susan in 1944 to the final pair of corgis seen at her funeral, these dogs were constant companions through decades of history, political change, and personal milestones.
Today, far from the spotlight of Windsor Castle, Muick and Sandy continue their quiet lives in Norfolk. Their story—intertwined with royal tradition, loyalty, and controversy—remains a reminder that behind the grandeur of monarchy was a woman whose greatest comfort often came from the faithful dogs at her side.
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