Kate Middleton speaks about late dog Lupo in rare vulnerable moment

Kate Middleton shared a rare emotional moment during her recent trip to Italy after unexpectedly being reminded of the family’s beloved late dog, Lupo.

The Princess of Wales, 44, spoke about the dog while visiting Scuola Comunale d’infanzia Anna Frank in Reggio Emilia on May 13, where she observed the Reggio Emilia Approach in action at the municipal preschool.

During an activity with the children, Kate was shown papers featuring different animal names written in Italian. When she spotted the word “Lupo” – meaning “wolf” in Italian – the memory immediately struck a chord.

“Our dog was called Lupo. We had a dog that was called Lupo,” Kate said warmly, placing a hand against her chest as she smiled.

When someone nearby asked whether she knew the meaning behind the name, the princess confirmed she did – before revealing the family’s beloved cocker spaniel wasn’t exactly wolf-sized.

© Getty Images

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“I guess he was a big dog?” someone joked from behind the camera. “No, he wasn’t actually,” Kate replied with a laugh, using her hands to demonstrate the dog’s smaller size.

“He had a big personality,” she added fondly.

The touching exchange offered a rare glimpse into the more personal side of royal life and highlighted just how much Lupo still means to the Wales family years after his death.

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Lupo was the first dog Kate and Prince William owned together and became a treasured part of the family after being gifted to the couple by Kate’s brother, James Middleton, in 2011.

The black cocker spaniel quickly became a familiar presence in royal family photos and was often seen alongside Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis during their younger years.

In November 2020, William and Kate announced Lupo’s death in an unusually emotional statement shared publicly online.

© Photo: Getty Images

“Very sadly last weekend our dear dog, Lupo, passed away,” the couple wrote at the time.

“He has been at the heart of our family for the past nine years and we will miss him so much. – W & C.”

James Middleton later revealed in his memoir Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life that Lupo had originally been given to the royal couple as a “belated wedding present.”

© Alamy Stock Photo

Before Lupo’s passing, James gifted the family another black cocker spaniel, Orla, who was related to the much-loved pet.

Orla has since become a regular feature in family portraits and royal appearances, even appearing in Princess Charlotte’s birthday photographs and Kate’s 2024 video announcing she had completed chemotherapy treatment.

The Wales family’s love of dogs has continued to grow in recent years, with Kate recently confirming they had also welcomed a brown cocker spaniel named Otto into the household.

Speaking during a Buckingham Palace garden party earlier this year, the princess shared a relatable story about life with a mischievous puppy.

“He chewed quite a lot the other day,” Kate admitted with a laugh. “You have to keep them busy. The first thing we do in the morning is check, ‘Has anyone taken Otto out?’”