Princess Catherine has been seen out and about lately with a beloved new addition to the family – a charming Cocker Spaniel that has completely captured the hearts of Royal fans. This adorable companion is yet another sign that the Royal mom of three is doing just fine. We took a closer look at the scene, zooming in on small details that may have been missed at first glance. While many were charmed by the portrayal of these intimate moments, some critics found it all a bit too polished, raising questions about the authenticity of sharing such personal aspects of their lives.
One of the more delightful details in the footage is the appearance of two dogs. A black English Cocker Spaniel named Nala makes a brief but warm appearance. Nala was a gift from Catherine's brother, James Middleton, when his dog had puppies back in 2020. The second dog, a brown Spaniel named Orla, belongs to James as well. While these pets quietly stayed in the background, their presence added a layer of warmth to the family setting. Over the years, the Prince and Princess of Wales have owned two black Cocker Spaniels: Lupo, who sadly passed away in 2020, and their current pup, Orla. Orla, given to the couple by James before Lupo’s death, has rarely been seen in public until she made a surprise appearance in Catherine's cancer update video on September 9th.
In this rare sighting, Orla was seen laying with the Royal couple on a picnic basket on the beach. Though she seldom appears on Royal outings, she carries a rather regal name. "Orla" translates from Gaelic to "Golden Princess," adding a lovely touch to the family’s canine companion. Orla was also featured in Princess Charlotte’s seventh birthday photos, taken by Catherine herself. Dogs have always been close to the heart of the Royal family. Prince William and James Middleton, in particular, share a deep bond over their love for dogs. As a child, William had a black Labrador named Wion, and when Wion passed away, it left a void in William’s heart. That void was filled when James’s dog Ella had a puppy, Lupo, who became an important member of the Cambridge family.
Catherine, then pregnant with Prince Louis, was spotted out and about with a friend, Trinny Foyle, and her dog Lupo in Hyde Park, London. At the time, Catherine looked stylish in her LK Bennett Darwin jacket, Le Chameau wellies, and skinny jeans. Around the same time, she had just returned from a baby moon with Prince William in Mystique, a private island in the Caribbean. The couple was hoping her condition wouldn’t prevent her from making the eight-hour flight to Barbados, and it seems their hopes came true. A month earlier, such a journey would have been unthinkable for Catherine, so this was a clear sign of her recovery.
Despite the touching nature of these moments, some royal traditionalists took issue with the intimate style of the Wales family's new video. Amid the buzz around royal protocol, Royal expert Richard pointed out that videos like these create a deeply personal connection rather than just making a formal statement. "You can show family life, and it gives the public an idea of what normality looks like for them," he said. "But if you listen closely, you also understand that for nine months, there’s been a struggle, and it’s clear that Catherine’s young family has been her anchor throughout her health battle."
The video showcases Princess Catherine beaming with her husband, Prince William, and their three children, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, and Prince George. The reaction from some observers focused on the rare glimpse of the future monarch, Prince George, in shorts, alongside his future queen, sharing loving embraces and other displays of affection. Catherine’s closeness to William is evident throughout the footage. One shot shows the couple laying on the beach, giggling together, with Catherine’s arm draped over William’s shoulder. Another tender moment shows William gently stroking his wife’s hand as she speaks openly about her recovery.
In the voice-over, Catherine reflects on the challenges of the past year and the changing nature of royal protocol. From a public perspective, this video offered an unprecedented glimpse into their personal lives. "I think there are important exceptions to the royal tradition, and this was one of them," Richard said. "It’s one thing to make a statement, but to show such closeness is something we rarely see from the royal family."
In a heartfelt tribute to her husband, Catherine also shares in the video, "This time has, above all, reminded William and me to reflect and to be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted—like simply loving and being loved."
