Just before Queen Elizabeth II passed away at the age of 96, she suffered one final heartbreak at the news of her eldest dog's death. Candy, the Queen's oldest dog and longest-surviving dorgi - a cross between a dachshund and a Welsh corgi - sadly died soon after she arrived in the Scottish Highlands at the beginning of summer.
Her Majesty was a huge animal lover and devoted pet owner, having cared for countless dogs during her 70-year reign. Candy outlived every dorgi and spent 18 special years by the Queen's side - but despite her extreme old age, Her Majesty was said to be 'distraught' by the loss.
The Queen surprised her close staff by making the decision to fly the loyal dog's remains to London and be buried in Windsor with her other long-term pet, Vulcan, who passed away in 2020.
For the duration of her life, Her Majesty would bury her dogs where they died, so their gravestones can be found at Windsor, Sandringham and Balmoral.
Her unexpected plans suggested the Queen had every intention of returning to Windsor at the end of the holiday, to supervise the placing of the headstone herself.
Though Her Majesty never made it home from Balmoral Castle and passed away peacefully at the age of 96, still with two beloved canine companions, Sandy and Muick.
Following her death, it has since been announced that Prince Andrew will take on the corgis with his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson.
The Duke and Duchess of York will care for Her Majesty's two Welsh corgis, instead of passing them down to her son Charles, as the family gifted both dogs to the late monarch last year.
It is understood that Prince Andrew and Princess Beatrice gave her the two corgis and promised to take care of them if she died.
In the months leading up to the Queen's death, it is believed the pair had been walking the dogs.
Candy left one lasting impression on the nation when she was captured on camera interrupting the Queen's Platinum Jubilee photoshoot in Windsor Castle's Oak Room.
A charming snap showed innocent-looking Candy making a lap of the room and approaching Her Royal Highness for a sneak preview of her cards.
Addressing the golden pooch, the Queen said: "And where did you come from? I know what you want," likely to be reference to a treat.
She then called Candy over for a stroke and the beautiful moment was photographed, displaying the Queen's dedicated love for her dogs.
The corgi community have spoken out about their heartbreak after hearing the news of the Queen's passing, and shared her lasting impression on their lives.
Kay Hogg, secretary of the Welsh Corgi League Scottish sector, said the community was saddened at the news of her death and has "lost part of our world".
Kay said: "We are very, very sad. Everywhere the Queen went there were always corgis. She grew up with corgis and everybody associated corgis with the Queen.
"We feel as though, although there is a corgi league and a society, we've actually lost part of our world. She did so much for the breed, always had corgis by her side all her life."
Seven years ago, the Queen made a touching sacrifice to her beloved pets when she expressed her decision to no longer breed corgis - so she wouldn't "leave any young dog behind".
Royal aide Monty Roberts, who advises the Queen on her horses, told Vanity Fair magazine in 2015: "She didn't want to have any more young dogs. She didn't want to leave any young dog behind. She wanted to put an end to it."
He added: "I have no right to try to force her into continuing to bring on puppies if she doesn't want to."
You can now buy Friday's historic Daily Mirror commemorating the death of the Queen here: mirror.co.uk/commemorative
