King Charles has revealed that he and Queen Camilla are planning to buy a new dog following the death of her beloved Jack Russell, Beth.
The monarch was speaking to TV presenters Amanda Holden and Alan Carr after the Royal Variety Performance on Friday evening when he said they hoped to find a new four-legged friend.
The Queen is said to be devastated after she was forced to put Beth, 13, a rescuer from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, to sleep just over a week ago after she was diagnosed with an inoperable tumor and her condition quickly went downhill.
It comes on top of her being forced to withdraw from several public appearances, including the Royal Variety Performance, after suffering the lingering after-effects of a nasty respiratory infection.
But in a piece of good news, Holden – who is an ambassador for the world-famous London animal sanctuary and has met Camilla, its patron, several times before – revealed of her and Carr’s conversation with the King after the show: ‘We mentioned Hare Your Majesty and we wished her well and I offered my condolences to the dog.
“I felt for her, I really felt for her when that happened. He said, ‘we’re going to get a new one, Merry Christmas.’
“That’s what he said and I said yes, but please ask Battersea.” Carr joked, “Always working.”
The Britain’s Got Talent judge said she had just rescued a puppy from Battersea herself, Minnie, a shih tzu and a toy spaniel.
The Queen is said to be devastated after she was forced to put Beth, 13, a rescue from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, to sleep just over a week ago after she was diagnosed with an inoperable tumor.
The decorations are embellished with gold-colored metal wire and sequins and cost € 12.95 each
Her Majesty had to make the difficult decision to put adorable Jack Russell to sleep at the age of 13 after he was diagnosed with cancer
Queen Camilla has been left heartbroken after her beloved rescue dog Beth died – and the pair shared a sweet bond
Carr also rescued a dog the same week, a deaf, half lurcher, half whippet.
It comes as Highgrove, the king’s estate in Gloucestershire, revealed it is releasing a range of Christmas decorations for charity, including a likeness of Beth.
The handmade dog, who wears a red bandana decorated with a crown, can be snapped together with one of Camilla’s other remaining terrier, Bluebell. Both are new additions to the Highgrove store this year, before Beth’s illness became known.
The decorations are embellished with gold-colored metal wire and sequins and cost € 12.95 each.
They were recently placed on a tree in the estate’s shop and can be picked up by royal fans online.
Charles’s charity, The King’s Foundation, is the custodian of Highgrove Gardens, with all proceeds from Christmas events on the estate and online shopping supporting the work.
The foundation organizes on-site educational workshops for traditional and endangered crafts such as millinery, embroidery and woodworking.
Her Majesty had to make the difficult decision to put adorable Jack Russell to sleep at the age of 13 after he was diagnosed with cancer.
She adopted the then 12-week-old pup in August 2011 after falling in love with her photo in an email sent to her by Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.
She adopted the then 12-week-old pup in August 2011 after falling in love with her photo in an email sent to her by Battersea Dogs and Cats Home
King Charles III and Queen Camilla (then the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall) holding her dogs Beth (left) and Bluebell in 2015
Camilla with Beth in Highgrove as an ITV documentary charting her guest editorship of Country Life in 2022 – her dogs also appeared on the magazine’s cover
Queen Camilla with her rescue dog Beth, who has passed away. It is understood that Beth had an untreatable tumor and had to be put to sleep this weekend
Camilla even paid tribute to her pets by having them embroidered on her coronation dress
The Queen, Beth and late star and fellow dog lover Paul O’Grady with Beth and Bluebell
Camilla, who became a patron of the charity in 2016, told the Mail at the time: ‘I couldn’t resist her. She’s beautiful. It’s so exciting. I can’t wait for her to meet the family.’
She already had two older Jack Russells, Tosca and Rosie, both of whom have since passed away.
Beth quickly put her paws under the table and found herself in a remarkable rags-to-riches ‘tail’ on her way in a chauffeured car to Balmoral just weeks after being handed over to the shelter.
Camilla had already told them that she would like to find a replacement for her beloved Freddy, another Jack Russell who died three years earlier at the age of 21.
Like all clients, she had to pay a standard rehoming fee of £105 and undergo a ‘home check’ procedure by the center’s staff.
They carried out background checks at Highgrove and Raymill, Camilla’s private home in Wiltshire, where the new puppy would largely live.
She was named Beth by the staff at the dog home and the Duchess of Cornwall, as Camilla then was, decided she liked it so much that she decided to keep it.
A source said at the time: ‘Believe me, she will have a great life. Beth has absolutely fallen on her feet.”
She was later joined by another Battersea dog, Bluebell.
Beth often accompanied her royal master on visits, especially in Wiltshire, and in 2022 she accompanied her on a visit to Battersea’s Brands Hatch branch with the late television star Paul O’Grady.
She and Beth took part in a dog competition against Battersea Ambassador O’Grady and his dog Sausage, playing a dog training game known as ‘Temptation Alley’. They were encouraged to ignore dog treats and toys and run straight to their own dog in the other side.
Beth won and received a trophy for her efforts.
She also once helped Camilla unveil a plaque in Battersea – using a hidden piece of sausage – much to the delight of the royal family.
In a post on social media, Buckingham Palace said on Monday that the Queen had to “sadly say goodbye to Beth”, her “much loved companion… who brought so much joy whether she was walking, helping with official duties or in bed . a fire’.
A source added: ‘It’s very sad news.’