King Charles Shares He and Queen Camilla Will Get New Dog After Death of Beloved Dog Beth

Mar. 15, 2025

Queen Camilla, a famous book lover, visits Sydney’s Green Square Library on Oct. 22, 2024 in Sydney, Australia and Beth, the Queen’s late Jack Russell Terrier, is depicted in a Christmas tree decoration at Highgrove.Photo:Ian Vogler - Pool/Getty; Ben Birchall/PA Images via Getty

Ian Vogler - Pool/Getty; Ben Birchall/PA Images via Getty

King Charlesgave an update on how he andQueen Camillaplan to add to their family while at the Royal Variety Performance.

On Monday, Nov. 18, Buckingham Palace announced that Beth, one of the Queen’s Jack Russell Terriers, had died over the weekend. PEOPLE understands that Beth had an untreatable tumor and was put down humanely. On Friday, Nov. 22, the King, 76, spoke to Royal Variety Performance hosts Amanda Holden and Alan Carr, telling them that he and the Queen plan to get a new dog, according toThe Daily Express. Camilla, 77, wasn’t in attendance at the performance, pulling out of attendingjust hours before the showbecause of lingering effects of a chest infection that the palace announced she’d contracted earlier this month.

In the Queen’s absence, Holden gave the King condolences to pass on to Camilla and revealed that she has a special connection to Beth, who was adopted from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in 2011. Camilla is patron of the organization, and Holden is an ambassador.

King Charles attends the Royal Variety Performance at Royal Albert Hall on Nov. 22, 2024 in London, England.Samir Hussein/WireImage

Samir Hussein/WireImage

“I felt for her — I really felt for her when that happened,” Holden said, who added that the King then said, “‘We’re going to get a new one.’ ” To this admission, Holden added, “‘Yes, but get it from Battersea, please.’ ”

“He did so well to be here,” Holden continued. “He was really funny. I’ve always said out of everyone he’s got the best sense of humor in the whole royal family. They’re very down to earth — that’s what it is for me. You don’t feel intimidated when you meet them at all.”

Charles and Camilla’s country home, Highgrove, paid further tribute to Beth in its Christmas decorations, asThe Telegraphreported that among the ornaments on the couple’s Christmas tree there is an embroidered motif of Beth sporting a red bandana decorated with a crown. Bluebell also makes an appearance — wearing a crown, no less! — and the decorations were actually introduced in September and placed on the tree in early November, before it was known that Beth was ill.

On Sunday, Nov. 24,James Middleton— the brother ofKate Middleton— wrote an essay forThe Timesabout how difficult it is to lose a pet. James lost his cocker spaniel Ella in early 2023, and even named his 2024 memoir,Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life, in her honor.

Beth and Bluebell on the Christmas tree at Highgrove.Ben Birchall/PA Images via Getty

Ben Birchall/PA Images via Getty

“The reason that losing a dog often feels harder than losing a relative or friend is, I think, because the way they love us is so uncomplicated,” James opened his essay. “Their simple request in life is that you love them back — and with that, there’s something so honest and pure. They don’t care who you are, even if you are the Queen of England. And Beth, the Queen’s Jack Russell who died last week, certainly didn’t care about her owner’s royal status; she just appreciated the love.”

Ambassador for the Friends for Life award James Middleton poses for a photograph with his dogs Inka, Luna, Ella and Mabel at a launch event for this year’s Crufts and Friends for Life in Green Park, London.Kirsty O’Connor/PA Images via Getty Images

Kirsty O’Connor/PA Images via Getty Images

He offered advice on how to cope with a beloved dog’s passing, including “don’t rush into getting another dog.”

“Everyone’s different,” James wrote. “It was reported yesterday that the King and Queen are planning to get a new dog. That will work for many people, but it wasn’t the right approach for me. I wanted to fill that void with memories and appreciation for Ella before considering another dog.”

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall with Beth, her jack-russell terrier, unveiling a plaque as they visit the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home to open the new kennels and thank the centre’s staff and supporters on Dec. 9, 2020 in Windsor, United Kingdom.Steve Parsons - WPA Pool/Getty

Steve Parsons - WPA Pool/Getty

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He added that it was important to take time to mourn the loss, writing, “Like anything, you can’t sweep grief under the carpet or bottle it up. It will just come back in another form. So embrace it. Grieving is a consequence of love.”

source: people.com