Prince William and Princess Catherine Introduce New Dog Otto on First Birthday

On 1 May 2026 the Prince and Princess of Wales announced the name of their newest family member, a one-year-old dog called Otto. Kensington Palace posted a photograph of the brown English cocker spaniel on X, captioning the post with a birthday greeting to Otto. The image shows Otto beside Prince William, Princess Catherine and their three children, marking both his first birthday and the first public disclosure of his name.

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Lupo, a black English cocker spaniel gifted by James Middleton in 2011, died in November 2020 after nine years. Orla, another black cocker spaniel, joined in 2020 and gave birth to four puppies in May 2025; Otto is the only male the couple kept.

Complex

The household includes Prince William, Princess Catherine (formerly Kate Middleton), and their children: Prince George (12), Princess Charlotte (10) and Prince Louis (8). James Middleton is noted as the donor of Lupo. The family’s pets now number two: Orla and Otto.

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• 2011 – Lupo gifted by James Middleton.

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• Nov 2020 – Lupo dies.

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• 2020 – Orla joins the family.

Complex

• May 2025 – Orla’s litter of four puppies is born; Otto is the male retained.

Complex

• 1 May 2026 – Otto’s first birthday; name announced.

Town & Country Magazine

Royal pets frequently appear in portraits, charity events and media, offering a relatable view of family life. Otto’s introduction alongside the 15th wedding anniversary reinforces this tradition and keeps public interest. The announcement was posted on X and quickly shared by multiple media outlets.

Prince William and Kate introduce Otto, the royal family's newest member

Kensington Palace’s X post introduced Otto with a birthday greeting, and a later post shared the anniversary portrait with a celebratory caption. Both messages framed the news as a family celebration rather than a formal royal proclamation.

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Most outlets call Otto an English (brown) cocker spaniel, matching Orla. One source describes him as resembling an Irish Setter, creating a breed discrepancy. No official clarification has been given, and his exact birthdate beyond May is undisclosed.

Complex

• "Welcome to the family, Otto! 1 today." — Prince William and Princess Catherine, Kensington Palace X post

Prince William, Kate introduce new member of royal family

• "So we've got a little puppy, he's only eight months, and Orla's five." — Princess Catherine, interview during a Welsh woollen-mill tour

The Independent

• "She’s actually the niece of our other dog, Lupo, who sadly we lost during [COVID] lockdown." — Prince William, The Reluctant Traveler interview

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• "Yes, we were all there, sadly." — Prince William, reflecting on Lupo’s passing

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