You won't believe the hilarious names Queen Elizabeth gave her corgis over the years

Queen Elizabeth and corgis
(Image credit: Getty Images)

As we approach the tragic one year anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's death, people have been taking the time to celebrate the late monarch.

Queen Elizabeth ruled for 70 years, and over that time became renowned for her wit, warmth and duty. 

She was also often associated with her love of Pembroke Welsh corgis, supposedly owning over 30 dogs of that breed during her reign. And as members of the public share touching anecdotes around the late monarch, details of her sweet relationship with her dogs have too resurfaced

One detail that got the nation talking the most this week was the late Queen's choice of dog names - with Her Majesty selecting some surprising monikers for her pets over the years.

Some of Queen Elizabeth's name choices for her corgis were pretty traditional, from Monty, Susan and Holly, to Emma, Linnet, Noble, Willow and Heather.

However, others are complete curve balls: Candy, Sugar, Foxy, Bushy, Brush, Honey, Whisky, Sherry, Vulcan, Cider, Berry, Flash, Spick, Span, Tiny and Bisto Oxo (seriously) to be more specific. 

The royal pets are said to have led a luxurious life at Buckingham Palace under the late Queen's watch. Their base was even apparently referred to as "the corgi room" where they slept in elevated baskets to avoid the draft and were tended to by Queen Elizabeth herself.

As if they weren't already living the high life, their meals (ranging from beef to rabbit) were prepared and served up by a gourmet chef, and at Christmas, life just got better for the royal dogs. Wait for it... because Queen Elizabeth is said to have made up stockings for each of her pets, filling them with toys and biscuits.

Oh to be a royal corgi!

Queen Elizabeth and corgis

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Some have even got media attention over the years with Sugar (boasting a surprisingly sassy name) gracing the cover of the June issue of The Australian Women's Weekly back in 1959.

More recently, Monty, Willow and Holly made their TV debut alongside The Queen in a James Bond sketch at Buckingham palace with Daniel Craig, as part of the 2012 Olympic opening ceremony.

When the late monarch tragically passed away in September last year, she was survived by two of her corgis, Sandy and Muick - who were taken in by Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York and Prince Andrew. 

Jenny Proudfoot
Features Editor

Jenny Proudfoot is an award-winning journalist, specialising in lifestyle, culture, entertainment, international development and politics. She has worked at Marie Claire UK for seven years, rising from intern to Features Editor and is now the most published Marie Claire writer of all time. She was made a 30 under 30 award-winner last year and named a rising star in journalism by the Professional Publishers Association.