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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Catherine Wylie

Kate and William share name of new family dog in sweet post marking the spaniel’s first birthday

The Prince and Princess of Wales have revealed the name of their second family dog in a social media post marking his first birthday.

The chocolate cocker spaniel is one of the puppies from a litter of four birthed by their older dog, Orla, in 2025.

Orla joined the royal household in 2020 after the unexpected death of their first family dog, Lupo, at the age of nine.

The black cocker spaniel was a wedding present to Prince William and Prince Kate from Kate’s brother, James Middleton, in 2011.

Kensington Palace announced the name and birthday of their second dog on X on Friday.

The palace shared a picture of the spaniel with the caption: “Welcome to the family, Otto! 1 today.”

Kate only confirmed that she and her husband had welcomed a new puppy in February.

The Princess of Wales made a fuss of English cocker spaniel Barney during a tour of a Welsh woollen mill as she was asked how old her family’s dogs are.

The princess replied: "So we've got a little puppy, he's only eight months, and Orla's five."

Otto and his siblings also featured in Prince William’s 43rd birthday photo last June.

In the picture, the Prince is seen gently stroking one of the chocolate cocker spaniel puppies, while Orla stands watchfully behind him.

Prince William pictured with Orla’s puppies, including Otto, in June 2025 (Kensington Royal)

The accompanying caption, signed by the family, read: "Happy birthday! Love C, G, C, L, Orla and the puppies!"

Both Orla and Otto also appeared in a recent family holiday snapshot, taken by Matt Porteous in Cornwall.

The image, shared for William and Kate’s 15th wedding anniversary, depicts 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 are 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.

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