The Prince and Princess of Wales have announced the name of their new family dog in a heartfelt social media post commemorating the spaniel's first birthday. The chocolate cocker spaniel, named Otto, is one of four puppies born to their older dog, Orla, in 2025.
Royal Family Welcomes Otto
Kensington Palace shared a photograph of Otto on X on Friday, accompanied by the message: "Welcome to the family, Otto! 1 today." The post marked the first public confirmation of the puppy's name, which had been kept private since his birth.
Orla, a cocker spaniel, joined the royal household in 2020 following the unexpected death of Lupo, the family's first dog, at the age of nine. Lupo, a black cocker spaniel, was a wedding present to Prince William and Kate Middleton from Kate's brother, James Middleton, in 2011.
Kate Confirmed New Puppy in February
Kate Middleton first revealed that the family had welcomed a new puppy during a visit to a Welsh woollen mill in February. When asked about the ages of their dogs, she replied: "So we've got a little puppy, he's only eight months, and Orla's five." At the time, she made a fuss of English cocker spaniel Barney during the tour.
Otto and his siblings were also featured in a photograph released for Prince William's 43rd birthday in June 2025. The image showed William gently stroking one of the chocolate cocker spaniel puppies while Orla stood watchfully behind him. The caption, signed by the family, read: "Happy birthday! Love C, G, C, L, Orla and the puppies!"
Dogs Featured in Anniversary Photo
Both Orla and Otto appeared in a recent family holiday snapshot taken by Matt Porteous in Cornwall. The image, shared for William and Kate's 15th wedding anniversary, depicted the family of five lying shoulder-to-shoulder on their backs in the grass, with Prince Louis playfully resting his legs on his mother, Kate. Orla and Otto were seen next to William.
Kensington Palace also posted that photograph on social media, accompanied by the message: "Celebrating 15 years of marriage" and a red heart emoji.
