King Charles III is reportedly moving to take back Queen Elizabeth II’s last two corgis—Muick and Sandy—from his disgraced brother, Prince Andrew, as the former duke prepares to leave Royal Lodge for good. The move, if confirmed, would turn a deeply personal family matter into a symbolic battle over legacy, responsibility, and the quiet dignity of the late monarch’s most loyal companions. According to British journalist Rob Shuter’s Substack post on November 14, 2025, palace insiders describe the King as ‘deeply unsettled’ by the conditions at Royal Lodge, where Andrew and Sarah Ferguson have cared for the dogs since Her Majesty’s death on September 8, 2022. The corgis, both Pembroke Welsh corgis, aren’t just pets. They’re living relics.
The Last of the Queen’s Corgis
Queen Elizabeth II owned more than 30 corgis in her lifetime, a devotion that began in childhood and became a defining feature of her public image. The last two, Muick and Sandy, were gifts from her children in the final years of her reign. Muick, a dapper male, came from Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson in 2021. Sandy, a female, was a gift from the Queen’s inner circle shortly before her passing. After her death, Buckingham Palace issued a brief statement: ‘The corgis will remain with the family.’ But that was deliberately vague. No one knew if ‘the family’ meant Andrew, Sarah, or even her granddaughters, Princess Eugenie or Princess Beatrice.
What insiders now say is clear: the Queen would never have allowed the dogs to be left in the care of someone whose judgment she questioned. ‘Her Majesty liked Fergie,’ one source told Shuter, ‘but she was ferociously protective of those dogs. She would... never have wanted them left solely with Sarah—and Charles knows that better than anyone.’
A Home in Disarray
Royal Lodge, the 18th-century residence tucked into Windsor Great Park, has been Andrew’s official home since 2004. But since he stepped away from royal duties in early 2025—following years of controversy tied to his association with Jeffrey Epstein—the property’s future became uncertain. Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, who divorced in 2019 but continued living together at Royal Lodge, are now splitting. Andrew is relocating to Sandringham House in Norfolk. Sarah is moving to a private residence, location undisclosed.
That’s where the problem lies. The corgis, now 12 and 13 years old, need routine, gentle handling, and someone who understands their quirks. According to Shuter’s sources, the household has become unstable. There are reports of irregular feeding schedules, missed vet appointments, and even a recent incident where Sandy escaped the garden after a broken fence went unrepaired for weeks. ‘They need a more stable home—and better judgment around them,’ said one insider.
Charles, who inherited his mother’s deep affection for animals, reportedly finds the situation unbearable. He’s not just worried about their health—he’s worried about what their neglect says about the monarchy’s values. ‘These dogs were her comfort,’ another source explained. ‘When she couldn’t walk, they were her legs. When she was lonely, they were her voice. Letting them fade into chaos? That’s not just bad pet ownership. It’s a betrayal of her memory.’
The Crown’s Living Legacy
Charles isn’t just asking for the dogs back. He’s claiming them as ‘part of the Crown’s living legacy.’ That’s not just poetic language. It’s a legal concept. While personal pets are usually treated as private property, the Queen’s corgis were bred and raised under royal stewardship. Their lineage traces back to the Queen’s original corgis, bred at Sandringham. Their care has always been overseen by the Royal Household’s veterinary staff. Legally, they may fall under a gray area: inherited personal items of the sovereign, but with symbolic weight that transcends ownership.
Shuter’s reporting, corroborated by Reality Tea and Town & Country, suggests Charles has already initiated discussions with the Crown Estate’s legal team. He’s exploring whether the dogs can be classified as ‘royal assets’—not for sale, not for auction, but for preservation. That’s a move that could set a precedent. If the corgis are deemed part of the Crown’s heritage, then custody becomes a matter of institutional responsibility, not familial preference.
Andrew’s Refusal
But Andrew isn’t giving them up. Sources say he’s ‘flat-out refusing’ to surrender the dogs. He’s reportedly told allies that Muick and Sandy are ‘the only things left that feel like home.’ He claims Sarah Ferguson, despite their separation, still walks them daily and has maintained the same routines the Queen established. ‘She’s the one who remembers how Sandy hates the rain,’ one anonymous confidant told The Telegraph. ‘She’s the one who sings to them at bedtime. Who else would do that?’
What’s striking is how emotionally charged this has become. This isn’t about money or power. It’s about grief. About who gets to honor the memory of a woman who spent 70 years loving animals more than most people love their own children. Charles sees himself as her keeper. Andrew sees himself as her son. And the corgis? They’re the last thing tying them both to her.
What Happens Next?
As of November 17, 2025, no official statement has come from Buckingham Palace. The King’s office has declined to comment. Andrew’s representatives have not responded to requests for clarification. But the clock is ticking. Andrew must vacate Royal Lodge by the end of December. The corgis can’t stay there alone. And with winter approaching, the stakes are higher than ever.
One possibility: the dogs could be moved to Balmoral, where Charles and Camilla spend their autumn months. Another: they might be placed under the care of the Royal Veterinary College’s senior animal care unit, with scheduled visits from the royal family. A third, more dramatic option? A court order. If Charles invokes the Crown’s authority over royal legacy items, the matter could end up in the High Court.
It’s hard to imagine a more human story wrapped in royal pomp. Two elderly dogs. Two estranged brothers. One dead queen. And a legacy that refuses to be buried.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does King Charles want the corgis back?
King Charles believes Muick and Sandy are part of Queen Elizabeth II’s living legacy, not just personal pets. He’s concerned about their care amid the instability at Royal Lodge and fears their neglect reflects poorly on the monarchy’s values. The Queen was fiercely protective of her corgis, especially in her final years, and Charles, who shared her deep bond with animals, sees their well-being as a moral duty.
Can Prince Andrew legally keep the corgis?
Legally, it’s unclear. The corgis were gifted to the Queen and raised under royal stewardship, but they weren’t formally registered as Crown property. However, Charles’s legal team is exploring whether they qualify as ‘royal assets’ tied to the sovereign’s personal legacy. If so, custody could be transferred through institutional channels—not family agreement.
What happened to the other corgis?
Queen Elizabeth’s last corgi, Willow, passed away in 2018. All others were either euthanized or passed away naturally over the years. The Queen chose not to breed new corgis after Willow’s death, fearing she couldn’t give them the same care. Muick and Sandy are the final two—making their fate especially symbolic.
Is Sarah Ferguson involved in the custody battle?
Yes, indirectly. Though she and Andrew are separated, Sarah has been the primary caregiver since 2022, maintaining the Queen’s routines—daily walks, bedtime songs, even the same food brands. Charles’s concerns center partly on her ability to manage care alone now that they’re no longer living together. But insiders say she’s deeply attached to the dogs and has no intention of giving them up.
Could the corgis be moved to another royal residence?
Possibly. Balmoral is the most likely destination, where Charles and Camilla spend autumn. The estate has ample space, trained staff, and a history of royal pet care. Alternatively, the dogs could be placed under the care of the Royal Veterinary College with supervised visits. But moving them would be emotionally taxing—the dogs are elderly and deeply attached to Royal Lodge.
Has Buckingham Palace commented on this?
No. Despite multiple reports from Shuter, Reality Tea, and Town & Country, Buckingham Palace has issued no official statement. That silence is telling. It suggests the matter is being handled internally, possibly through legal channels, and that the monarchy wants to avoid public spectacle—even over two old dogs.