Kate Middleton shared an emotional moment during her recent visit to Italy, recalling the family’s late dog, Lupo.
The Princess of Wales spoke about the beloved black cocker spaniel while visiting Scuola Comunale d’infanzia Anna Frank on May 13. During the visit, Kate observed the well-known Reggio Emilia Approach used at the municipal preschool.
The touching moment happened during an activity with children at the school. Kate was shown papers with different animal names written in Italian. When she noticed the word “Lupo,” which means “wolf” in Italian, she immediately connected it to the family’s former pet.
“Our dog was called Lupo,” Kate said while smiling warmly and placing her hand on her chest.
Someone nearby later asked whether she understood the meaning behind the dog’s name. Kate confirmed that she did and laughed when another person jokingly suggested the dog must have been large because of the name.
“No, he wasn’t actually,” she replied while using her hands to show the dog’s smaller size.
Kate then added affectionately that Lupo “had a big personality.”
The exchange offered a rare public glimpse into the more personal side of life inside the royal family. It also showed how strongly Lupo is still remembered by the Wales family years after his death.
Lupo was the first dog owned together by Kate and Prince William after their marriage. The dog became part of the family in 2011 after being given to the couple by Kate’s brother, James Middleton.
The black cocker spaniel quickly became a familiar presence in official family photographs and public moments involving the couple’s children, including Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
In November 2020, William and Kate announced Lupo’s death in a deeply personal message shared publicly online.
The couple wrote at the time that the dog had been “at the heart of our family” for nine years and that they would miss him greatly.
James Middleton later shared more details about Lupo in his memoir Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life. He revealed that Lupo had originally been given to William and Kate as a belated wedding gift.
Before Lupo passed away, James also gave the family another black cocker spaniel named Orla. The dog is related to Lupo and has since become a regular part of family life.
Orla has appeared in several royal family photographs, including birthday portraits of Princess Charlotte. The dog was also seen in Kate’s 2024 video message announcing she had completed chemotherapy treatment.
The Wales family’s affection for dogs has continued to grow in recent years. Earlier this year, Kate confirmed the family had welcomed another cocker spaniel named Otto into their home.
Speaking during a garden party at Buckingham Palace, Kate shared a light-hearted story about the energetic puppy.
She joked that Otto had recently chewed several things around the house and explained that family members regularly check each morning to make sure the dog has been taken outside.
Royal watchers say moments like these often help people connect with members of the royal family on a more personal level. Public conversations about pets, family life, and daily routines tend to show a softer side of royal life beyond official duties and public events.
Kate’s comments in Italy quickly drew attention online, with many royal fans remembering Lupo’s appearances in earlier family photographs and expressing support for the family’s lasting bond with their pets.
The emotional memory also highlighted the important role animals continue to play in the Wales family’s life as they balance royal responsibilities with family moments at home.
