Buckingham Palace has issued a reassuring update on the well-being of Queen Elizabeth II’s cherished corgis, Sandy and Muick, announcing that the dogs will remain in the care of the family formerly led by Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson. The decision comes as the former royal couple prepares to vacate Royal Lodge, their longtime Windsor Great Park residence, following King Charles III’s recent directive to strip Andrew of his titles and privileges. While the move signals a significant downsizing for the Yorks, the corgis’ continuity offers a touch of stability in an otherwise turbulent transition.

The corgis, both gifts to the late Queen during the COVID-19 pandemic, hold a special place in royal lore. Sandy arrived in 2021 as a companion during a period of isolation, while Muick—a nod to Balmoral’s pronunciation—was presented by Prince Andrew’s daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, shortly after the death of the Queen’s previous dog, Fergus. Upon Elizabeth’s passing in September 2022 at age 96, the two remaining corgis from her pack of up to 30 over her lifetime were photographed walking behind her coffin at Windsor Castle, symbolizing the end of an era that spanned seven decades. The Yorks stepped in as custodians, providing a home at Royal Lodge where the dogs reportedly thrived, joining Ferguson’s own brood of five Norfolk terriers.

Palace sources, speaking to the Daily Mail, emphasized the monarch’s personal attachment to the breed, which she first encountered as a child in the 1930s. “The King and Queen Camilla share the late Queen’s affection for these spirited companions,” the insider noted. “Ensuring their ongoing care reflects that commitment.” The announcement aligns with broader efforts to maintain normalcy for the animals amid the family’s upheaval. Andrew, now referred to as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor following the loss of his HRH status and military affiliations, faces a relocation to a more modest property on the Sandringham Estate. Ferguson, who has resided with him despite their 1996 divorce, will accompany the move, along with their pets.

This development follows a cascade of changes for the York household. In late October 2025, King Charles formalized Andrew’s demotion, citing “ongoing considerations of public service and institutional integrity.” The eviction from Royal Lodge—a 30-room Georgian mansion gifted to the couple in 2002—stems from financial strains on the royal estate and public backlash over Andrew’s past associations, including a settled civil claim in 2022. While the couple retains no public funding, they will keep personal items, but palace artifacts and equestrian memorabilia must return to the collection. The corgis, however, fall under private ownership, a distinction that spares them from separation.

Ferguson, a vocal animal lover and patron of various pet charities, has long championed responsible guardianship. In a 2023 interview with Hello! Magazine, she described the corgis as “full of personality and mischief,” crediting them with bringing joy during her breast cancer treatment earlier that year. Photos shared on her Instagram show the dogs lounging in Royal Lodge’s gardens, tails wagging amid blooming roses—a far cry from the grandeur of Buckingham but no less affectionate. Beatrice and Eugenie, both working royals in limited capacities, have been spotted walking the pair during family outings, underscoring the blended household’s dynamics.

The corgi lineage traces back to Rozavel of Wales, a 1933 gift to a young Elizabeth from her father, King George VI. Over her reign, the Queen bred 14 generations, amassing a pack known for their feisty independence and loyalty. By 2018, health concerns led her to cease breeding, but the dogs remained constant companions, even influencing state events—like the 2012 Olympics sketch with Daniel Craig. Posthumously, Sandy and Muick’s story captured global attention; a 2023 BBC documentary followed their adjustment, revealing Ferguson’s hands-on routine of daily walks and gourmet meals tailored to royal standards.

Animal welfare experts applaud the palace’s approach. Dr. Emily Carter, a veterinary behaviorist at the Royal Veterinary College, commented that corgis thrive on routine and familiar bonds. “Uprooting them could cause undue stress, especially at their age—Muick is around four, Sandy five,” she explained. “Placing them with known caregivers like the Yorks ensures continuity, aligning with best practices for senior pets.” The Kennel Club, of which Elizabeth was patron, echoed this, noting the breed’s predisposition to back issues that demand stable environments.

For the Windsors, the corgis represent more than pets; they embody continuity amid flux. King Charles, whose own Jack Russell terrier, Blue, passed in 2024, has expressed fondness for working dogs but leans toward less demanding breeds. Camilla, a known advocate for rescue animals via Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, has two rescue spaniels, Beth and Tolo. Yet, the decision to leave Sandy and Muick with the Yorks avoids further family friction, especially as Andrew navigates his reduced profile. Insiders suggest the King views it as a compassionate gesture, balancing accountability with familial ties.

Public sentiment has warmed to the news, with social media abuzz under #CorgiContinuity. Fans of the Queen’s well-documented dog devotion— from her 1970s polo sidelines to state banquet antics—share throwback clips, blending nostalgia with relief. “Those pups deserve their forever home with Fergie,” one Twitter user posted, garnering thousands of likes. Royal watchers, however, speculate on logistics: Will the corgis join the Sandringham move, or split time with Beatrice’s London base? Palace reticence leaves room for imagination.

This episode fits into the monarchy’s evolving pet policy. Unlike previous decades, when corgis roamed freely across estates, modern royals prioritize welfare over pageantry. Prince William and Kate Middleton favor hypoallergenic cavapoos for their children, George, Charlotte, and Louis, while Prince Harry’s Beagle, Guy, resides in California. The late Princess Diana’s fondness for Portuguese water dogs influenced this shift toward calmer companions. Yet, the corgi endures as a symbol—stubby-legged sentinels of British eccentricity.

Ferguson’s role as de facto corgi mom has endeared her further to animal enthusiasts. A Budweiser ambassador and author of children’s books featuring dogs, she hosted a 2024 charity tea at Royal Lodge with proceeds benefiting the Kennel Club. “These little ones teach us about unconditional love,” she said then, cradling Muick. Her openness contrasts Andrew’s reclusiveness, positioning her as the family’s approachable face. As relocation nears—potentially by early 2026—the Yorks eye Frogmore Cottage or a purchased property, with corgis in tow.

Broader implications touch royal finances and optics. The Crown Estate, funding palace operations, faces scrutiny over non-working royals’ upkeep. Andrew’s £3 million annual allowance ends with his title loss, shifting costs to private means. Retaining the corgis—estimated at £5,000 yearly for care—falls to Ferguson, whose media ventures like her podcast sustain the household. Critics argue it softens the demotion, but supporters see mercy in preserving small joys.

Veterinarians recommend monitoring the dogs’ adjustment, advising gradual introductions to new spaces. “Corgis are pack animals; keeping siblings together minimizes anxiety,” notes the American Kennel Club. In the UK, where pet ownership surged 20% post-pandemic, the story resonates, boosting adoptions at shelters like Battersea.

As winter approaches, the corgis’ tale offers levity to Windsors’ headlines. From Balmoral heather to Windsor lawns, their waddles have charmed generations. Palace confirmation ensures Sandy and Muick’s chapter continues—not in isolation, but with the family that embraced them post-Elizabeth. In a monarchy of protocol, this furry footnote reminds: Loyalty, canine or otherwise, outlasts titles.

The Yorks’ next chapter, corgis included, unfolds quietly. Beatrice’s May wedding and Eugenie’s young family provide counterbalance, while Ferguson’s resilience shines. For royal pets, it’s simple: a bowl, a walk, a pat. Yet, in their steadfast gaze lies the Queen’s enduring wink—playful, proud, perpetual.