The Queen faces more heartache following the death of one of her two dorgi – Dachshund-Corgi cross – pups.
Fergus was one of the pair of puppies given to the monarch to help cheer her up after Prince Philip first became ill.
She was said to be “devastated” when the five-month-old dog died over the weekend – just over a month following the death of her husband.
She walked Fergus and Muick most days in the grounds of Windsor Castle.
The pups were a surprise gift from her son, Prince Andrew, in February and they stayed by the Queen’s side while the Duke was in hospital.
“The Queen is absolutely devastated,” a Windsor Castle insider said.
“The puppies were brought in to cheer her up during a very difficult period.
“Everyone concerned is upset as this comes so soon after she lost her husband.
“On top of that there’s been problems with her grandson, Harry.”
With insiders saying the Queen feared a trip hazard, many thought she had given up on owning new pets following the death of her corgi, Vulcan, last October.
Fergus was named after the Queen’s uncle, Captain Fegus Bowes-Lyon, who died in 1915 as he led an attack on German lines at the Battle of Loos in France during WWI.
Muick – pronounced Mick and named after Loch Muick in Balmoral, Scotland – and older dorgi Candy will continue to keep the Queen company.
Candy is the last living descendent of corgi Susan who was given to the Queen on her 18th birthday.
Buckingham Palace did not want to comment.
