The Princess of Wales delighted royal watchers yesterday by revealing a heartwarming family update during her official engagements in Wales. While continuing her mission to champion the British textiles industry, Kate Middleton confirmed that the Cambridge household has recently welcomed a new, furry member—an eight-month-old cocker spaniel puppy.
A Royal Revelation in Cardigan
On Tuesday, the 44-year-old royal visited the family-owned Hiut Denim company in Cardigan, Wales, where her face lit up upon meeting an English cocker spaniel named Barney. It was during this encounter that Kate shared the news about her own family's latest addition. She told staff at the manufacturer: 'We have the same breed of dog.' When asked about the age of their pet, the Princess replied: 'So we've got a little puppy, he's only eight months, and Orla's five.'
The Wales Family's Canine Companions
The new puppy may well be one of Orla's offspring, as the family's five-year-old cocker spaniel gave birth to quadruplets back in May. Orla originally joined the Wales family in 2020 as a gift from Kate's brother, James Middleton, who is renowned for his passion for dog breeding. This thoughtful present arrived during the same year that the family's previous dog, Lupo, sadly passed away.
A source close to the family revealed at the time that the entire household was 'besotted' with their new pup. 'They were devastated when Lupo passed away,' the friend explained. 'It was hoped that a younger dog would give Lupo some company and give him a little more life and energy.'
James Middleton, the younger sibling of Kate, currently owns six dogs and serves as patron of several canine charities. He has also founded a dog food brand and authored a book titled Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life, paying tribute to one of his late pets. Orla herself is the puppy of James's dog, Ella.
Orla's Royal Role
Since joining the family, Orla has become a devoted companion to Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. The black cocker spaniel has featured prominently in family life, appearing in daughter Charlotte's birthday portraits in both 2022 and 2023. She was also included in the Royal Family's social media celebrations for National Pet Day last year, with a photograph shared online bearing the caption: 'Celebrating the animals who bring so much joy, companionship and love to our lives.'
Orla made another memorable appearance in the family's heartfelt Mother's Day video last year, where Prince William was seen walking barefoot through long grass with both dogs excitedly jumping at his legs and wagging their tails.
Championing Welsh Textile Heritage
Beyond the canine revelations, Kate's visit to Wales focused squarely on promoting the British textiles industry. Following her stop at Hiut Denim, the Princess visited Melin Tregwynt, a woolen mill weaving traditional Welsh designs in a remote wooded valley on the Pembrokeshire coast. This historic establishment has been in continuous operation since at least 1841 and currently employs more than 40 local people.
A Sartorial Tribute to Craftsmanship
Dressing appropriately for the occasion, Kate sported an elegant coat crafted from Melin Tregwynt Welsh tapestry wool, specifically designed to highlight the mill's bold geometric weaving heritage. She complemented this with a bottle-green roll-neck jumper and high-waisted trousers in a matching shade from Victoria Beckham.
Keeping jewellery minimal, the Princess added simple gold hoop earrings from Spells of Love while opting for a more dramatic makeup look featuring a smoky eye. She completed her ensemble with suede heels from Emmy London. Departing from the fuss-free plaited hairstyle she wore during a mindfulness walk late last month, Kate chose a more glamorous half-up hairdo for yesterday's engagements.
Preserving Traditional Techniques
Melin Tregwynt maintains an extensive archive of traditional patterns that are carefully preserved and faithfully revived, ensuring the craft can be passed to future generations. The mill specializes in Welsh double-cloth weaving—a traditional wool textile technique that produces reversible, thick blankets with inverted patterns on each side.
During her visit, Kate met with Melin's director, Louise Clarke, who guided her through the full production process from weaving machines to finished products. The Princess was also introduced to some of the talented young weavers who are learning this traditional craft, underscoring her commitment to supporting both heritage industries and skills development.
The day's events beautifully combined personal revelation with professional dedication, showcasing both the Princess's role as a devoted family woman and her serious commitment to championing British craftsmanship and textile heritage.
