The royals rarely take their pets on official engagements, but today Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall was accompanied by her beloved rescue dog Beth for a visit to Battersea Dogs and Cats home.
The Duchess, who is back to work carrying out socially distanced engagements, was at the charity’s Windsor kennels to open up a new wing named in her honor, and to thank the charity’s staff and supporters for their efforts during the lockdown. Armed with stockings packed with doggy treats from the royal shop, she was greeted on arrival by a rather unusual “guard of honor” – a line-up of the kennels’ best behaved dogs, much to pooch-loving Camilla’s delight.
Her Royal Highness adopted her two dogs Beth and Bluebell from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and is patron of the animal shelter. Beth was by her side today as she toured the Old Windsor Centre’s new facilities, wearing a dark green wool coat with tartan collar adorned with a doggy brooch by Van Cleef and Arpels. The Duchess, who has sported an array of striking face masks, wore a white mask with doggy paw prints, sent to her by member of public.
Beth helped the Duchess unveil a plaque to commemorate the new Duchess of Cornwall Kennels. “It was carefully coordinated,” said a palace aide. “There was a sausage hanging off the side of the curtain which Beth grabbed and like magic unveiled the plaque.”
The Old Windsor Centre cares for 100 dogs and 50 cats at any one time, and last year re-homed 1159 animals. During the national lockdown Battersea was forced to suspend their intake of cats and dogs but remained open for emergency cases. They set up an advice line to help owners and are expected to be busy in the coming months as people have rushed to buy puppies during the lockdown.
Speaking to staff and volunteers this morning Camilla said, “I am extremely touched they’ve been called after me ‘I’d like to thank everybody here because I know how tough Covid has been for you all’ ‘They’re luxurious kennels! I wouldn’t mind spending the night in them- air conditioning and everything you could possibly hope for!’
During the tour Camilla also checked out the new “puppy paddock,” where she was introduced to a handsome puppy pug called Ernie. “He was gorgeous,” reported an onlooker. “Ernie didn’t have a home to go to, I think the Duchess might have wanted him.” In the end, Camilla left with only the faithful Beth in tow.
More Great Stories From Vanity Fair
— Inside the Always Online, All-Consuming World of Twin Flames Universe
— Rudy Giuliani’s Daughter, Caroline, on How to Accept That Trump Lost
— Carl Lentz, Ranin Karim, and Hillsong’s Unfurling Scandal
— Billie Eilish Shares How She Spent the Pandemic in Latest Time Capsule
— The Queen Says Goodbye to Her Beloved Dorgi, Vulcan
— Barack Obama on His Book, the Election, and What Actually Makes America Great
— How We Unmasked the Hollywood Con Queen Suspect
— From the Archive: Her Most Loyal Subjects, a History of the Queen’s Kennels
— Not a subscriber? Join Vanity Fair to receive full access to VF.com and the complete online archive now.