The Truth About Queen Elizabeth’s Corgis: What Prince Andrew Did To Them Is Heartbreaking

March 2026 | London, United Kingdom

The corgis of Queen Elizabeth II, the beloved and iconic dogs that have been a part of the royal family for decades, have become symbols of loyalty, companionship, and the royal legacy. The Queen’s connection to her corgis was well-known and cherished by many around the world. But after the Queen’s passing in September 2022, these two precious corgis—Muick and Sandy—found themselves at the center of a deeply emotional and controversial story that has unfolded in the aftermath of her death.

While their journey from Windsor Castle to Norfolk has been filled with public interest, it is the deeper emotional and familial complexities surrounding these dogs that have made their story not just one of royal interest but also one of heartbreaking personal ties, family turmoil, and unresolved grief.

A Royal Legacy: The Corgis’ Early Years with Queen Elizabeth

Queen Elizabeth’s relationship with corgis dates back to 1944 when she received her first corgi, Susan, as a gift from her father, King George VI. This two-month-old pup became the first of many, and it’s from Susan that the royal line of corgis descended. For decades, Queen Elizabeth’s corgis became a symbol of her reign, providing comfort and companionship during both the happiest and most difficult times.

Susan was not just a pet; she was a companion, traveling with the Queen and even making her way into the royal honeymoon carriage with Elizabeth and Prince Philip in 1947. Over the years, Susan had numerous litters, starting a tradition of corgi breeding that continued for decades. Queen Elizabeth was deeply attached to the line of dogs, and they became a part of her identity.

When Willow, the last direct descendant of Susan, passed away from cancer in 2018, the Queen was devastated. She had chosen to stop breeding corgis years earlier, worried that any remaining dogs might be left without a home after her passing. This selfless act of love was a reflection of her deep bond with the animals that had been a constant in her life.

A New Beginning: The Gift of Muick and Sandy

In 2020, during the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, Queen Elizabeth was reeling from the loss of her husband, Prince Philip, who had been hospitalized with a heart condition. As the Queen faced her grief, her son, Prince Andrew, stepped in with a gesture that would bring her some comfort during her time of loss.

Prince Andrew and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, gifted the Queen two new corgis: Muick, a puppy named after a favorite spot at Balmoral, and Sandy, a Dorgi puppy (a corgi-dachshund mix). The Queen was thrilled by the gesture. She had not planned on taking in any new puppies, but they arrived at exactly the moment she needed them the most. Their playful and loving nature gave her companionship in her final years, and they became an inseparable part of her life, accompanying her at Windsor Castle, Balmoral, and beyond.

Tragically, just months later, little Fergus, another puppy gifted by Prince Andrew and Sarah, died unexpectedly from a heart defect. The Queen, though heartbroken, found solace in Muick and Sandy, who continued to provide her with comfort until her passing in September 2022. The corgis were there at her funeral, standing on a ceremonial carpet, confused and unable to comprehend their beloved owner’s absence.

The Heartbreaking Questions: What Happened to the Corgis After the Queen’s Death?

Following the funeral, a deep uncertainty loomed over the fate of the Queen’s corgis. After all, these dogs had been part of the royal family for decades. They were beloved by the Queen, a constant companion throughout her reign, and their sudden absence raised immediate questions about what would happen to them.

The public was concerned about the dogs’ future—Muick and Sandy had known nothing but royal care and attention, and now that the Queen was gone, who would take responsibility for them?

The answer came quickly, but it wasn’t what many expected. Sources close to the royal family confirmed that Muick and Sandy would stay with the man who had originally gifted them to the Queen: Prince Andrew.

Despite his tumultuous personal life and public scandal, the dogs were seen as a connection to the Queen, and Andrew, now stripped of his royal titles, was the only family member who could step in and care for them.

The Scandal That Changed Everything: Prince Andrew’s Fall from Grace

The decision to have Prince Andrew take the corgis was met with mixed reactions, especially given his recent scandals. Prince Andrew’s association with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein and the subsequent allegations of sexual misconduct had already rocked the royal family. His disastrous interview with the BBC in 2019, where he attempted to explain his ties to Epstein, led to his stepping back from royal duties.

In 2021, Virginia Giuffre, who had accused Prince Andrew of sexual abuse, filed a civil lawsuit in New York. The case was settled in 2022, but it continued to haunt the prince’s reputation. In 2025, following the release of further allegations tied to Epstein’s network, Prince Andrew was officially stripped of all his royal titles and honors by his brother, King Charles III. He was evicted from Royal Lodge in Windsor and relocated to a smaller property on the Sandringham Estate.

While Andrew’s public fall from grace was difficult for the royal family, it created a dilemma regarding the fate of Muick and Sandy. The dogs, once a symbol of the Queen’s legacy, were now caught in the middle of the royal scandal.

Sarah Ferguson’s Role: A Champion for the Corgis

Despite the controversy surrounding Prince Andrew, Sarah Ferguson, his ex-wife, has remained a staunch supporter of the corgis. Known for her close relationship with Queen Elizabeth, Sarah was deeply involved in the corgis’ lives, even before they became a part of the royal family’s recent crisis.

Ferguson and the Queen shared a special bond over their love of dogs, and Sarah had spent many years walking the Queen’s corgis, including through the grounds of Frogmore. She often spoke fondly of the animals, calling them “national treasures,” and even in the months after the Queen’s passing, she continued to care for them.

In 2023, Sarah confirmed that Muick and Sandy were doing well and thriving. She shared stories of their playful antics, noting that they were constantly under her care, running around and chasing squirrels. However, despite her continued support, the political and emotional complexity surrounding the dogs’ care was growing more evident by the day.

Prince Andrew’s New Life: Caring for the Corgis Amidst Scandal

In early 2026, the royal world was once again shaken by a stunning development involving Prince Andrew. On his 66th birthday, he was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, making him the first senior member of the British royal family to be arrested in modern history. The arrest was tied to his alleged actions during his time as the UK’s special trade envoy, where he reportedly forwarded confidential government documents to Epstein.

In the wake of this arrest, the question on everyone’s mind was: Where are the corgis now? Photographs of Muick and Sandy, the Queen’s last two beloved dogs, showed that they had been moved to Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate, where Prince Andrew now resides.

The decision for Andrew to care for the dogs, after so many years of royal chaos and personal scandal, seems bittersweet. As he navigates the complexities of his new life, the corgis, who once belonged to a queen, are now part of a new chapter—one that blends both royal history and modern-day turmoil.

The Queen’s Final Act of Love for Her Corgis

Before Queen Elizabeth passed away, she made a powerful and emotional decision regarding the future of her corgis. After Willow, the last direct descendant of Susan, passed away, the Queen decided not to breed any more corgis, fearing they might be left without a home after her death. She told her horse whisperer advisor, Monty Roberts, in 2012 that she didn’t want the dogs to suffer once she was gone.

This act of selflessness, not only for the dogs but also for the royal legacy they represented, showed the Queen’s profound love for her pets. She had lived with them for decades, and they were as much a part of her family as her children. Yet, in the final years of her life, she chose to spare them the grief of being orphaned after her passing.

It is in this context that the gift of Muick and Sandy, given to her by Prince Andrew during the pandemic, becomes even more poignant. These two dogs were more than just pets; they were a symbol of continuity, of love, and of a monarchy that had undergone great change over the years.

What Happens Next? The Future of Muick and Sandy

As the world watches the drama unfold, one question remains: what happens to the Queen’s beloved corgis? As they now live under the care of Prince Andrew at the Sandringham Estate, many wonder if this will be their final home. Given the ongoing turmoil surrounding Andrew, including his legal issues and personal scandal, it’s unclear how long the corgis will remain with him. Will they continue to live in quiet obscurity, or will they eventually find their way back into the care of Sarah Ferguson, who has long shown her devotion to the dogs?

For now, the corgis remain a poignant reminder of Queen Elizabeth II’s legacy—a legacy that continues to be surrounded by both love and controversy. Through the years of joy and sorrow, of public celebrations and private grief, the corgis have been with the Queen. And now, as her family navigates the aftermath of her passing, Muick and Sandy continue to carry that legacy forward, even as they are caught in the middle of one of the most turbulent chapters in royal history.

Stay tuned as we continue to follow the unfolding story of Queen Elizabeth’s corgis, Prince Andrew’s royal troubles, and the impact of this dramatic saga on the royal family.