Royal Watch News

Monty is a big loss to Queen Elizabeth

Sep 13, 2012, 12:01 GMT

Queen Elizabeth

The death of Queen Elizabeth's beloved corgi is a 'great loss' to the British royal family.

The 86-year-old monarch's pet pooch, Monty, recently passed away at the age of 13 and the dog's namesake and close friend of the queen, Monty Roberts, says the family will be very upset at his passing.

Roberts, who is known as the horse whisperer, said: 'It is a great loss.

'Dogs live for less time than human beings and we know we're going to lose them - but they are part of the queen's family. She'll be quite upset about the death of Monty.'

Roberts is a regular guest at the royal residences and used to teach his namesake some tricks.

He told the Daily Telegraph newspaper: 'There was a particular squirrel that used to play games with him. It would come out of the tree, and when Monty got up a head of steam - well, it would go right back up there.'

Corgi Monty shot to fame when he appeared alongside his owner in a short James Bond sketch for the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony in July.