Prince William recently shared a deeply personal story during his interview with Hollywood actor Eugene Levy on Apple TV+’s The Reluctant Traveler.

While giving Eugene a tour of the private gardens at Windsor Castle, the future king spoke about the heartbreaking loss of his beloved dog, Lupo.

Joining them on the walk was William’s Cocker Spaniel, Orla, who quickly charmed Eugene. The actor offered the pooch a treat, sparking an easy rapport between the trio. “This is going down well, look, you’re getting the look which is like ‘please feed me,’” William joked, to which Eugene laughed and replied, “And that’ll do it. Oh my goodness…”

Remembering Lupo

During their chat, William revealed that Orla is actually related to his late dog. “So [Orla’s] actually the niece of our other dog, Lupo, who sadly we lost in lockdown,” he explained. Eugene gently asked, “Were you there? When it happened?” William responded, “Yeah we were all there sadly, it was very sad.”

Lupo passed away in November 2020, and at the time, William and Kate shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram. Alongside a photo of Lupo lying in the snow, they wrote:
“Very sadly last weekend our dear dog, Lupo, passed away. He has been at the heart of our family for the past nine years and we will miss him so much.”

Royal fans flooded the post with comforting messages. One commented, “My thoughts and prayers go to all of you! Lupo was very loved and will be missed.” Another wrote, “So sorry for your loss of your precious pup,” while a third added, “Sorry for your loss, pets are family also.”

Lupo held a special place in the royal family — he was a gift from Kate’s brother, James Middleton, after William and Kate’s wedding in 2011.

Welcoming Orla Into the Family

A year after Lupo’s passing, the Wales family welcomed Orla into their lives in 2021. Her name was publicly revealed in May 2022, when she appeared alongside Princess Charlotte in her seventh birthday portrait.

Earlier this year, Orla reportedly became a mother herself, giving birth to a litter of puppies. To mark his 43rd birthday in June, Kensington Palace shared a sweet photo of Prince William posing with three of the tiny pups.

The image melted hearts across social media. “Beautiful picture. Happy birthday to the Prince of Wales,” one user commented. Another gushed, “This is now my favourite photo of Prince William,” while others simply called it “the sweetest photo ever.”

From losing Lupo to celebrating Orla’s new litter, Prince William’s reflections revealed the deep love and connection the royal family shares with their furry companions — a bond that continues to bring them comfort and joy.