The end of the line draws near for the Queen's corgis

THE reign of the corgis at Buckingham Palace is drawing to a close after more than 80 years around the throne.

The Queen, 1936GETTY

The Queen in 1936, aged 10, with two friends

The Queen, who for many years could be seen with ever-present corgis at her feet, has ruled against introducing any new dogs to the royal household. 

She no longer replaces the pets as they die because, as she gets older, she fears tripping over the small dogs, leaving her with a serious injury. 

She has also just turned down the offer of two puppies from her granddaughter Princess Beatrice. 

THE QUEEN AND HER CORGIS: CLICK HERE FOR AN INSIDE LOOK AT THE BEST THE PICS

The Duke and Duchess of York’s daughter asked her grandmother if she would like two of four Norfolk terriers, (slightly smaller than corgis), born to her own dog Ginger last September.

Her corgis are getting on a bit and move along at a sedate speed but a young dog would obviously be very lively and much more active

A senior courtier

Last night a senior courtier explained: “The Queen thought it was a lovely offer but she politely declined. 

“The fact is she worries about too many dogs around her feet and the danger she will trip up and hurt herself badly. She is after all 88 and not getting any younger. 

“Her corgis are getting on a bit and move along at a sedate speed but a young dog would obviously be very lively and much more active.

"Her main fear is that if she fell and broke her arm or even a leg she would not be able to perform her duties for many weeks if not months, and that would upset her greatly.” 

The QueenCAMERA PRESS

The Queen believes her corgis can do no wrong, and is said to feed them fillet steak

The Queen is down to just two corgis, having had as many as eight at any one time. 

She still enjoys riding horses and carries out hundreds of engage ments a year but it is unlikely she will ever again undertake lengthy royal foreign tours. 

It was recently revealed that long term aide Nancy Fenwick, who looked after all the corgis, had retired. 

PRINCE GEORGE: IN PICTURES

The wife of former royal gamekeeper Bill Fenwick, she was known in royal circles as “Keeper of the Queen Corgis” and knew the quirks and dietary needs of each dog. 

The Queen with her corgisPH

Her Majesty has been surrounded by a royal retinue of corgis for her entire reign

Corgis were first introduced to the royal circle by King George VI. 

The Queen has had more than 30, all descended from Susan, a Pembroke given to her as an 18th birthday present. 

Some dogs mated with Princess Margaret’s dachshunds to produce “Dorgis”, two of which, Candy and Vulcan, still survive, along with the two corgis Willow and Holly. 

As far as the Queen is concerned the pets can do no wrong and she is said to feed them fillet steak and chicken breast.

Would you like to receive news notifications from Daily Express?