Queen Camilla neatly swerved an enthusiastic lick from an excitable puppy while meeting crowds in Northern Ireland on Thursday.
The royal, 78, accompanied by her husband, King Charles, met well-wishers as they concluded their three-day visit, which required strict security measures.
Camilla, known to be a huge fan of dogs, met adorable eight-month-old Shih Tzu Teddy in Conway Square, Newtownards. She even picked him up for a cuddle – but soon found herself the object of kisses and licks.
Looking slightly taken aback, she managed to narrowly avoid being licked all over her face, but couldn’t resist holding the adorable pup in her arms.
As Charles strummed on a ukulele, Camilla devoured an ice cream cone, quipping that it was her “lunch”.
Queen Camilla’s love of dogs
The royal family is known for their love of dogs. The Prince and Princess of Wales have two cocker spaniels, Orla and puppy Otto, while the late Queen Elizabeth II was famous for her love of corgis.
Camilla has a rescue puppy called Moley, who even featured in a video for David Attenborough’s 100th birthday earlier this month.
Moley was lovingly adopted by Camilla in February last year, shortly after the sad passing of her late dog, Beth, in November 2024.
Camilla revealed her new addition on a visit to Canterbury, sharing that she’s called Moley because she “looks just like a mole”.
It’s believed the female dog is from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and was born on Boxing Day. Moley’s mother is understood to be half Jack Russell, half unknown, while her father’s breed is unknown.
The Queen also owns a Jack Russell Terrier called Bluebell, who, like Beth, came from Battersea. Both dogs have previously joined her on royal engagements.
© GettyNews of Beth’s passing was announced on social media by the palace in a touching statement that read: “A sad farewell to Beth, The Queen’s much-loved companion from @Battersea Dogs and Cats Home who brought such joy, whether on walkies, helping on official duties, or curled up by the fire.”
Rounding up their visit
Charles and Camilla have spent the past three days touring Northern Ireland, and they ended their stay in Conway Square, where hundreds turned out to see them meet local craftspeople and retailers.
Ice cream seller Michael Cafolla, whose business was started just over a 100 years ago by his Italian immigrant grandfather, gave the Queen a cone of ice cream from a mobile cart, freshly made that morning.
Camilla also posed with a Paddington Bear statue sitting on a bench that has become a star attraction with visitors to the town.
During his day in Co Down, Charles whipped up a stir when he helped mix a gluten-free chocolate cake at the Warehouse centre in Newtownards, a former pub repurposed as a volunteer-supported facility providing free food supplies and meals to people in need.
© Getty ImagesWhile the King was on baking duty, Camilla learned about the hub’s “blind date with a book” initiative that encourages people to try new genres of books by picking ones with their covers concealed by wrapping paper.
At a separate event, the Queen praised a group of people who work and volunteer with survivors of domestic abuse, including representatives from Women’s Aid in North Down and Ards, the Police Service of Northern Ireland, food banks, and Community NI.
She also spoke with survivors of domestic abuse and their children.
Making an impromptu speech to those she met, the Queen said their work is “more important than ever because domestic abuse is coming to the fore more and more, it’s not hidden any longer, it’s talked about, and it’s only through people like all of you that we hopefully can do a lot to put an end to it all with everyone working together”.
She added, “It’s lovely to see all the agencies coming together, I think that’s what is needed all over the country. Thank you very much.”
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