Sweet Corgis parade outside Buckingham Palace to mark a year since Queen's death

03 September 2023 , 15:52

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A Pembrokeshire Corgi taking part in a parade in memory of the late Queen Elizabeth II, near Buckingham Palace (Image: AP)

Royal fans and their pet corgis have gathered outside Buckingham Palace to remember Queen Elizabeth nearly a year since her death.

Around 20 corgi enthusiasts dressed up their pets in crowns, tiaras and royal outfits and paraded them outside the palace in central London to pay tribute to the late Queen, who was known to be fond of the dog breed.

Agatha Crerer-Gilbert, who organised Sunday’s event, said she would like the corgi march to take place every year in her memory.

She said: "I can’t see a better way to remember her than through her corgis, through the breed that she loved and cherished through her life. You know, I can’t still get used to the fact that she’s not physically around us, but she’s looking at us. Look, the sun is shining, I thought it would shine on us today."

The Queen was known to be fond of corgis and owned 30 over her lifetime (AP)

Corgis were constant companions of the late queen since childhood, and she owned around 30 throughout her life. Her Majesty had at least one corgi at any given time between the years 1933 and 2018, when the last surviving member of the royal corgi family, Willow, died.

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Willow famously starred in the James Bond sketch during the London Olympics opening ceremony eleven years ago, and was believed to be the 14th generation that had descended from Susan, a corgi that was given to the then-Princess on her 18th birthday in 1944. She managed to 'sneak' Susan on her honeymoon with Prince Phillip three years later.

Agatha Crerer-Gilbert, who organised Sunday’s event, said she would like the corgi march to take place every year in her memory (AP)

September 8 will mark the first anniversary of the death of the 96-year-old queen at her Balmoral castle estate in Scotland. Spending 70 years as Britain's monarch, she is the country's longest-ever reigning sovereign. King Charles is currently staying at Balmoral as he continues the tradition she set of the Royal Family ending the summer season at the estate. On Saturday he attended the Highland Games with Queen Camilla, where they were joined by Anne, Princess Royal as spectated on traditional sports and festivities at the annual event.

Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas