Prince William, the Prince of Wales, celebrated his 43rd birthday on June 21st. To mark the occasion, Kensington Palace released a new and heartwarming photograph of His Royal Highness, offering a glimpse into a more relaxed, personal side of royal life.
Shared on social media, the image was captured by none other than the Princess of Wales, Catherine, showcasing her talent as an amateur photographer. The photo features Prince William sitting on the grass in Windsor, surrounded by a joyful pile of canine companions: the family’s beloved Cocker Spaniel, Orla, and three of her four recently born puppies.
A Personal Birthday Tribute
The candid portrait shows Prince William in a casual olive button-down shirt, jeans, and trainers, gently petting one of the chocolate Cocker Spaniel puppies while Orla stands watchfully behind him. The image portrays a sweet, informal moment, a notable contrast to the recent formal appearances like Trooping the Colour or the Order of the Garter procession he has attended.
The message accompanying the photograph on Kensington Palace’s social media was equally personal and touching. It read: “Happy birthday! Love C, G, C, L, Orla and the puppies!” followed by a paw print emoji. The initials represent Catherine and their children Prince George (11), Princess Charlotte (10), and Prince Louis (7), charmingly including the family dogs in the special birthday tribute.
Meet the Royal Canines
The photo introduces the public to the newest furry members of the Wales family. Their mother, Orla, is a chocolate Cocker Spaniel who joined the household in 2020, gifted to William and Catherine by the Princess’s brother, James Middleton, following the sad death of their previous dog, Lupo, in November 2020. Lupo had been a cherished member of the family for nine years, having been a wedding gift from James back in 2012.
Orla herself gave birth to a litter of four puppies in May, and the family was reportedly very excited about the new arrivals. While four puppies were born, three are featured clambering around the Prince in the birthday photograph. Spaniels are known for their affectionate and playful nature, which is clearly on display in the joyous scene. The family’s deep bond with their pets is well-known, with one royal fan even reporting that William mentioned their “little dog” sleeps on the bed with him and Catherine. Orla has occasionally joined the couple on official engagements, like a polo match in 2022, demonstrating her integration into their lives.
Balancing Duty and Family Life
While the birthday photo offered a quiet, family-focused moment, the week leading up to his 43rd birthday saw Prince William engaged in various duties. He attended Royal Ascot on June 18th alongside his father, King Charles III, and Queen Camilla. His wife, Catherine, was absent from Ascot, reportedly disappointed to miss the event for the second consecutive year as she continues to balance her return to public life following her cancer diagnosis revealed in January and subsequent remission. Just a day before William’s birthday, Catherine sent a heartfelt message highlighting her support for children’s hospices.
William also recently visited a project linked to his Earthshot environmental prize in Norwich. Joined by Earthshot council member Cate Blanchett, he toured Colorifix, an eco-friendly textile dye company that was a 2023 prize finalist. During the visit, where he even donned a lab coat, William showed his engaged approach, admitting he needed a “layman’s version” of the technical explanations and humorously apologizing for asking “stupid questions.” Such moments, along with a past anecdote about him cleaning out the family’s guinea pig cage, reveal a down-to-earth aspect to his life.
Beyond the family photo, the official account of the Royal Family also shared a birthday greeting for Prince William, including a different picture taken in May during his visit to farmers and food producers on the Duchy of Cornwall, land he now owns.
The release of the charming puppy photo provides a warm and personal insight into Prince William’s life, celebrating his birthday surrounded by the love of his family – including the four-legged members.
