The family were gifted Lupo by Kate Middleton’s younger brother James shortly after their 2011 marriage. The nine-year-old black cocker spaniel was sometimes seen with the family in photos.
Lupo was described by Kate as energetic – so much so that the family struggled to have table tennis matches because the dog would love to get involved.
However, the Cambridges revealed last week that Lupo had passed away.
Kate expressed her sadness, describing Lupo as “the heart of our family for the past nine years”.
Speaking to CNN shortly after the birth of the couple’s first child in 2013, Prince William called Lupo one of his priorities.
He said: “He’s coping all right, actually. As a lot of people know who have got dogs and are bringing newborn back, they take a little bit of time to adapt, but, no he’s been all right so far.
“He’s been slobbering sort of around the house a bit, so he’s perfectly happy.”
The nine-year-old Lupo had three siblings called Zulu, Inka, and Luna, James Middleton said.
Meanwhile, Kate recently announced loneliness among families has “dramatically increased” through the coronavirus lockdown, according to new research.
The data, collected by the Duke and Duchess’ own charity the Royal Foundation, involved input from more than 520,000 Britons.
It aimed to provide insight into how parents were coping with raising children under the age of five.
The study revealed parents were concerned about a lack of support and found parents were under emotional pressure amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Discussing the results, Kate said, via the KensingtonRoyal Instagram page: “Only 10 percent of parents mentioned taking the time to look after their own wellbeing when asked how they had prepared for the arrival of their baby.
“Worryingly, over a third of all parents – 37 percent – expect the Covid pandemic to have a negative impact on their long-term mental wellbeing.”
One new mother-of-two, Emily Wingrove, lives with her children in a London flat and says she has been isolated from her family.
She told the BBC: “It’s so difficult to keep them entertained. Every second is a battle.”
