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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Fionnula Hainey

Royal fans 'heartbroken' as Sarah Ferguson snuggles up to Queen's corgis in birthday photos

Sarah Ferguson has posted adorable photos of her snuggling up to the late Queen's corgis to mark her birthday. Royal fans were left moved by the photos, which show the pets settling into their new home following their owner's death.

The monarch's much-loved pets, Muick and Sandy, were sent to live with Sarah and her ex husband, the Duke of York, following the Queen's death at the age of 96 in September.

Sarah, who lives with ex husband Andrew at the Royal Lodge in Windsor despite the couple divorcing more than 20 years ago, is celebrating her 63rd birthday today. She marked the occasion with the sweet post on Instagram, which she captioned: "The presents that keep giving".

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The two dogs look playful as they snuggle up to Sarah, who is dressed in an elegant forest green velvet blazer. Her fans were thrilled to see the dogs looking healthy and happy after settling into their new home.

One fan with the username meakinw said: "Lovely to see the corgis are being loved and happy." Another, trish_lara53, said: "How heartbreakingly beautiful, they are in safe, gentle hands with Sarah."

Another comment from heart_2art reads: "My heart melts at this... It's a lovely sight to see Sarah. It's important that a pet gets a home after its care giver passes."

The two dogs moved Brits to tears when they made an appearance at Windsor Castle to watch the Queen's funeral procession as it arrived at St George's Chapel. The corgis were spotted observing the majestic historical event, with Prince Andrew bending down to pet them at one point.

The Queen owned more than 30 corgis during her reign and was known for her love of the short-legged herding breed. She was gifted corgi Muick, pronounced Mick, after Loch Muick on the Balmoral estate, in early 2021 by Andrew while staying at Windsor during lockdown.

Prince Andrew, Duke of York, speaks with members of the Royal Household who are looking after two of the Queen's corgis during the Queen's funeral procession (Getty)

At the same time, she was gifted a dorgi, Fergus, who tragically died at five months old weeks after the passing of her husband Prince Philip. He was later replaced with Sandy, a gift from Andrew and Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, for her official 95th birthday.

The Queen looked after her own dogs as much as possible and during weekends spent at Windsor, the corgis went too and lived in her private apartments. She fed them whenever her busy schedule permitted and also enjoyed walking the dogs.

Following her death, Sarah said the Queen was “the most incredible mother-in-law and friend” to her and she would miss her “more than words can express”. Sarah and Andrew’s two daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, are among the Queen’s eight grandchildren.

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