When Queen Elizabeth II passed away in 2022, she left behind more than a throne—she left behind her dogs. Now, two years later, the fate of her final two Pembroke Welsh Corgis, Sandy and Muick, has become a quiet but powerful symbol of continuity in a fractured royal household. On November 15, 2025, Buckingham Palace issued a brief but definitive statement: the corgis will "remain with the family." No names were given. No addresses. Just that one sentence, hanging in the air like a leash left dangling after a walk.
The Dogs That Outlasted the Throne
Queen Elizabeth II didn’t just own corgis—she lived with them. More than 30 in her lifetime, all descended from Susan, the first pup she received as an 18th birthday gift in 1944. She stopped breeding them in 2015, fearing she’d leave them behind. But then came Sandy and Muick—gifts from her son, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, after the death of Prince Philip in 2021. They were her last companions, her final link to a life spent walking the grounds of Balmoral and Sandringham, her slippers crunching on gravel as they trotted beside her.
After her death on September 8, 2022, those duties fell to Sarah Margaret Ferguson. The former Duchess of York, once mocked for her public image, became the quiet custodian of the Queen’s legacy—not through speeches or portraits, but through morning walks, shared tea, and the soft woof of two small dogs who remembered her voice. "I have her dogs," Ferguson told reporters in early 2025. "Every morning they come in and go ‘woof woof’ and all that. And I’m sure it’s her talking to me. I’m sure it’s her, reminding me she’s still around."
A Home Built for Corgis—And Now, a Problem
They lived at Royal Lodge, a 98-acre estate tucked into Windsor Great Park. It had gardens, woods, open fields, and a kennel that looked more like a cottage. For Sandy and Muick, it was paradise. For any new owner? A logistical nightmare.
"They were used to 98 acres," said Rachel Avery, Homes Editor at HELLO! Magazine. "You can’t just move them into a London flat and expect them to be fine. They’re not lap dogs. They’re hunters. They’re stubborn. They need space. And they know it."
That’s why the relocation of Andrew and Ferguson has sparked such quiet panic. Andrew is moving to Sandringham, the Queen’s other beloved estate. Ferguson is relocating to an undisclosed private home. Neither location has been confirmed to have the same sprawling grounds. And while Andrew has been stripped of his military titles and royal patronages, the palace has refused to say whether the dogs will go with him—or with her.
The Family That Can’t Decide
There are three obvious candidates: Andrew, Ferguson, or their daughters, Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice. Eugenie lives in London with her husband and young children. Beatrice lives in a converted stable near Windsor. Neither has a 98-acre estate. But both have deep emotional ties to the Queen—and to the dogs.
According to Emily Burack, Senior News Editor at Town & Country, Ferguson’s bond with the corgis wasn’t just about duty. "She walked them with the Queen at Frogmore. They talked about everything—childhood, marriage, loss. The dogs were their bridge. That connection didn’t end with the funeral. It just changed shape."
And then there’s the wild card: Craig Brown’s blunt assessment in his biography Q: A Voyage Around the Queen: "Corgis are a nightmare. Unpredictable. Temperamental. The Corleones of the dog world." That’s not just humor—it’s truth. These aren’t golden retrievers. They’re willful, vocal, and fiercely loyal. Moving them could trigger anxiety. Or worse: rebellion.
Why This Matters More Than You Think
This isn’t about pets. It’s about memory. The Queen didn’t just love corgis—she let them live in her bedroom, sleep on her bed, and follow her to official engagements. To remove them from their world is to erase a piece of her daily life. To keep them with the family is to say: her routines still matter. Her habits still hold meaning.
For the public, the corgis have become a proxy for the monarchy’s emotional health. When the palace says "they remain with the family," it’s not just a logistical decision—it’s a symbolic one. Are they still a family? Or just a collection of people sharing a surname?
And then there’s the timing. This announcement came just weeks after Andrew’s formal removal from royal duties. The palace could’ve quietly rehomed the dogs. Instead, they chose to make a statement. A quiet one. But a powerful one.
What Happens Next?
Nothing is official. No press conference. No photo op with the corgis. No announcement of a new home. But sources close to the family say a decision is expected by early 2026. One possibility: a compromise. One dog stays with Ferguson, the other with Beatrice. Another: the dogs remain at Royal Lodge under new caretakers, with the family visiting regularly. A third? The palace quietly moves them to a secure, staffed estate—perhaps even Balmoral—where they can live out their days in the same landscape the Queen loved.
What’s certain? Sandy and Muick won’t be sold. Won’t be given to a stranger. Won’t be left alone. That’s the one promise the palace made. And for now, that’s enough.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why won’t Buckingham Palace say who’s taking care of the corgis?
The palace is avoiding public speculation to protect the privacy of the royal family and the well-being of the dogs. Naming a specific person could trigger media pressure, unwanted attention, or even legal disputes over custody. By keeping it vague, they preserve flexibility and avoid turning the corgis into a public spectacle—something the Queen herself would have hated.
Can Sandy and Muick legally be claimed by anyone outside the family?
No. The corgis were gifted to the Queen and remain her personal property under royal estate law. Even after her death, they’re considered part of her personal effects, not public assets. Only direct descendants or those named in her estate plan can assume care. No outside adoption is possible—nor would the palace allow it.
How old are Sandy and Muick now, and what’s their health like?
Sandy was born in 2019, making her six years old. Muick, born in 2020, is five. Both are in good health, according to royal veterinarians. They’ve had routine check-ups since the Queen’s death, and their diet and exercise routines have remained unchanged. Their mobility is slightly reduced compared to their youth, but they still enjoy daily walks and outdoor play—just slower now.
Why did the Queen stop breeding corgis in 2015?
She didn’t want to leave any behind. After decades of breeding, she realized that each new puppy meant another life to care for after her death. She feared the emotional burden on her family and the risk of them being rehomed. Her decision was both practical and deeply personal—she wanted her final corgis to be the last, and she wanted them to stay with people who loved her.
Is there any precedent for royal pets staying with the family after a monarch’s death?
Yes. After King George VI died in 1952, his corgi, Dookie, lived with Queen Elizabeth until her passing. Similarly, Prince Philip’s two dachshunds, Holly and Bluebell, were taken in by his sister, Princess Sophie, after his death. The pattern is clear: royal pets are treated as family, not property. Their loyalty is honored, not auctioned.
Could the corgis be moved to a public royal estate like Balmoral?
Absolutely. Balmoral has more than 50,000 acres of land, far more than Royal Lodge. It’s where the Queen spent her final months and where she was buried. Moving the corgis there would be symbolic, emotional, and practical—giving them the space they need while keeping them in the landscape she cherished. It’s the most likely long-term solution.
