Prince William and Catherine share exciting personal news: 'Welcome to the family!'

Svar Nanan-Sen
Fri, 01 May 2026 12:06:43 +0000

The Prince and Princess of Wales have unveiled the name of their newest four-legged family member as the brown cocker spaniel celebrates turning one today.

Posting a photograph captured by Catherine on their official social media accounts, the couple announced: "Welcome to the family, Otto! 1 today."

The adorable pup is the offspring of Orla, the family's older cocker spaniel.

Fans responded enthusiastically to the birthday announcement, with comments flooding in praising the "cute" addition to the royal household.

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"You've been welcomed into the most beautiful family," wrote one admirer, whilst another joked: "You are royalty now."

Otto made his public debut earlier this week in the sunny family portrait released to mark William and Kate's 15th wedding anniversary.

The relaxed image shows the couple lying barefoot on the grass alongside their three children, with the future King reaching out to stroke Orla while the curious young pup wanders behind him.

The photograph offered royal fans their first proper glimpse of the newest canine addition, though his name remained a mystery until today's birthday announcement.

Both dogs have become beloved fixtures in the Wales household, with Otto now joining his mother as part of the family's growing pack of cocker spaniels.

Catherine first revealed the existence of their new puppy during a visit to Wales back in February.

The princess was touring family-owned business Hiut Denim when she encountered an English cocker spaniel named Barney, prompting her to share news of their own recent addition.

"So we've got a little puppy," she said at the time. "He's only eight months, and Orla's five."

The encounter clearly delighted Catherine, who lit up upon meeting the friendly spaniel during the engagement.

Otto is believed to be one of four puppies born to Orla in May last year, making him a second-generation Wales family dog with strong ties to the household.

Orla arrived in the Wales household in 2020, a gift from Kate's brother James Middleton, who has established himself as a passionate dog breeder and currently owns six dogs himself.

The black cocker spaniel came from a litter produced by James's own dog, Ella, and joined the family during the same year their beloved pet Lupo passed away.

A source told The Mail on Sunday at the time that the family were "besotted" with their new companion, adding: "They were devastated when Lupo passed away."

Since then, Orla has featured prominently in royal content, appearing in Princess Charlotte's birthday portraits in 2022 and 2023, as well as National Pet Day posts and the family's Mother's Day video last year.