Introduction
Queen Elizabeth II is the longest reigning British monarch in history, having served as queen for over 70 years since taking the throne in 1952. Known for her love of dogs, particularly the Pembroke Welsh Corgi breed, one of the queen’s most cherished companions was a Corgi named Susan who was gifted to her early in her reign.
The Royal Gift
Susan the corgi was gifted to Princess Elizabeth on her 18th birthday in 1944 by her father, King George VI. Susan was given to the future Queen as a fun and loving companion for the princess. According to the Wikipedia article on Susan, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppy was purchased from a reputable breeder named Thelma Evans Gray near Royston, Hertfordshire.
At the time, World War II was still raging on, and Princess Elizabeth had taken on more royal duties to support her father. Receiving this adorable puppy Susan was likely a bright spot for the princess during those difficult war years. Susan quickly became Elizabeth’s treasured companion and constant canine friend.
Susan’s Background
Susan was a Pembroke Welsh Corgi that was gifted to Princess Elizabeth (now Queen Elizabeth II) by her father King George VI for her 18th birthday in 1944. Susan came from a prestigious pedigree, being descended from Ch. Little Madonna, bred by Mrs Heather Hinde at the Rozavel Kennels in Surrey (1). She had the typical appearance of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi breed, with a fox-like head, alert ears, and a medium-length tail. Susan was known for being obedient and good-natured, with a playful spirit. According to sources, Susan quickly bonded with the Princess and they formed a close companionship (2).
(1) https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2149409/My-pedigree-chum-For-time-royal-corgi-reveals-little-help-John-McEntee-pampered–mischievous–life-leads-Her-Majestys-heel.html
(2) https://wamiz.co.uk/news/115368/secret-histories-of-queens-corgis-are-revealed-with-royal-dogs-family-tree
Life with the Princess
Susan the Corgi was given as a gift to Princess Elizabeth on her 18th birthday in 1944 by her father, King George VI. The puppy was from a litter bred by Thelma Gray, who worked as a Pembrokeshire kennelmaid ([1]). Susan quickly bonded with the young princess and they developed an exceptionally close relationship over the years.
The two were nearly inseparable, with Susan sleeping in Elizabeth’s bedroom in a special basket next to her bed. Elizabeth would often sneak Susan scraps from the royal table, forging an even deeper bond between them. Susan accompanied the princess on various outings and was by her side during pivotal moments, including Elizabeth’s wedding to Prince Philip in 1947 ([2]).
Their loving connection continued as Elizabeth took on more royal duties and traveled abroad. Former royal butler Paul Kidd recalled that Elizabeth “adored Susan” and “took her wherever she went” ([1]). Even as she grew older, Susan maintained her spirited and mischievous personality that Elizabeth clearly delighted in.
[1] https://www.express.co.uk/news/royal/1479118/teamdogs-queen-s-first-corgi-susan-royal-honeymoon
[2] https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-64877057
Susan’s Transition to Buckingham Palace
When Elizabeth became Queen in 1952, Susan moved with her to Buckingham Palace. As one of the Queen’s favorite corgis, Susan was allowed to live inside the palace with the royal family.
The move from Clarence House to Buckingham Palace was a big transition for Susan. At Clarence House, she had more freedom to roam around outside. But at the palace, she had to adjust to life inside the busy royal residence. She likely had to be on her best behavior around visiting dignitaries and at official events.
According to the BBC, the Queen made sure Susan and the other corgis were well cared for by the palace staff. Their food was prepared by the royal chef and they slept in elevated wicker baskets in the proprietary steward’s office.
While palace life took some getting used to, Susan remained one of the Queen’s most loyal companions until the end of her life.
Breeding the Palace Corgis
Susan became the matriarch of a long line of royal corgis after Queen Elizabeth II brought her to live at Buckingham Palace following her coronation. The Queen was so fond of Susan that she allowed her to give birth to multiple litters of puppies over the years at the palace.
Susan’s first litter arrived in 1953 and included a puppy named Sugar. Over the next decade, Susan produced numerous offspring including Honey, Heather, Bee and Brush. Her descendants continued serving as loyal companions to the Queen for decades to come.
According to this article, Susan’s bloodline was so treasured by the Queen that she allowed Susan’s puppies to mate with each other to maintain the royal corgi lineage. By the 1970s, Susan was credited with having over 30 descendants roaming the palace.
Susan’s progeny became just as beloved by Queen Elizabeth II as their matriarch. The Queen fondly named them after words she liked or places she had visited. Their sweet nature and boundless energy brought the monarch much joy over her long reign.
Susan’s Passing
In January 1959, Susan succumbed to liver failure and died at the age of 14 (source). The Queen was deeply saddened by Susan’s passing, having formed an incredibly close bond with her beloved corgi over the years. At the time, Susan was the oldest of the Queen’s corgis and had been with her since she was 18 years old. The death of her first corgi was a devastating loss for the young Queen.
According to reports, the Queen mourned Susan for weeks and personally designed a grave marker for her at Sandringham House (source). On the marker, the Queen had Susan’s name and dates of birth and death inscribed along with the touching epitaph “Almost a human”. This tribute showed the depth of affection the Queen had for Susan, considering her a close companion rather than just a pet. Susan’s passing marked the end of an era, as she was the Queen’s first corgi and constant canine companion for over a decade.
Susan’s Legacy
Susan left behind an enduring legacy as the founder of the Queen’s royal corgi line. She was the first in a long tradition of Pembroke Welsh Corgis that have been the Queen’s constant companions at Buckingham Palace and on her royal estates for over 70 years.
As noted by The Express, Susan was the beginning of the Queen’s worldwide fame for her love of corgis. All of the nearly 30 corgis the Queen owned subsequently were descended from Susan. She sparked the Queen’s lifelong affection for the breed.
Susan held a special place in the Queen’s heart as her first corgi and companion. She provided friendship and joy during the Queen’s early years on the throne. The Queen was so attached to Susan that she even smuggled her on her honeymoon in 1947. Susan’s puppies and descendants went on to become just as beloved by the Queen.
The Queen’s bond with Susan started a royal tradition of corgi breeding and ownership that has delighted dog lovers around the world. Susan played a key role in the Queen’s public image and her private happiness. She was the foundation of the Queen’s kennels and the origin of the royal corgi bloodline that still continues today.
The Queen’s Love of Corgis
Queen Elizabeth II had a lifelong love of corgis dating back to her childhood. Her passion for the breed began in 1933 when her father, King George VI, brought home a Pembroke Welsh corgi they named Dookie. After that, the Queen never looked back and corgis became her constant canine companions for decades to come [1].
Throughout her life, the Queen owned over 30 corgis, many of them descended from her first corgi, Susan. She was deeply devoted to her dogs, looking after their daily care and feeding them gourmet meals of chicken, steak, rabbit, and fresh vegetables prepared by the palace kitchen. The Queen personally supervised her corgis’ bath times and took them for walks around the palace grounds [2].
Even as she aged, Queen Elizabeth remained committed to the welfare of her beloved corgis. She was often photographed with them by her side as symbols of her profound connection with the breed. Her corgis provided companionship and comfort throughout her remarkable reign.
Conclusion
In summary, Susan was a Pembroke Welsh corgi that was gifted to the Queen when she was 18 years old in 1944. Susan formed an incredibly close bond with the young Princess Elizabeth, providing companionship and loyalty during the early years of her royal duties. When Elizabeth became Queen in 1952, Susan moved to Buckingham Palace and was the founder of the royal corgi line that the Queen cherished for decades. Susan lived until 1959 and her death deeply affected the Queen, marking the end of an era. As the Queen’s first royal corgi, Susan holds great significance and set the standard for the monarch’s lifelong affection for the Pembroke breed.