Corgi-owners create parade through London in memory of the Queen

For Queen and Corgi: Owners of late monarch’s favourite dog breed want annual march through London in her memory… and they call on Fergie to bring her mourning pups to the parade

• More than 50 corgis attended last year’s gathering as the nation mourned Queen

Corgis are set to take to the streets of London as owners aim to start annual parade in honour of the Queen – as organisers invite Sarah Ferguson to bring the late monarch’s dogs to join in the fun.

More than 50 pups attended last year’s gathering as the nation mourned the monarch, with many dressing up in patriotic costumes to pay tribute.

Agatha Crerer-Gilbert – whose glamorous pooch Ruffus lead the way in the first parade – is looking to gather together the breed to once again pay tribute as they walk together past Buckingham Palace this Sunday.

She believes the social nature of corgis would mean the Queen’s former pets would love to join the event – and it could help comfort them as they continue to mourn her death.

An intensive care doctor by day, the dog-lover said: ‘I know that we should continue this to maintain her legacy beyond her passing and we owe it to the Queen because she was a patron to the corgis.

Agatha Crerer-Gilbert’s (left) glamorous pooch Ruffus (right) lead the way in the first parade

The Queen, pictured at Balmoral Castle with one of her Corgis in 1952, is credited by the breed’s fans with making them aware of the adorable pups

Queen Elizabeth II being greeted by local Corgi enthusiasts in Edmonton as she departs the Legislature Building during a tour of Canada.

More than 50 pups attended last year’s gathering as the nation mourned the monarch, with many dressing up in patriotic costumes to pay tribute

READ MORE: Royal fans plan Corgi parade in tribute to the Queen who loved the breed and owned more than 30 during the course of her life 

‘She made us aware that corgis are a fantastic breed. They accompanied her in all her daily activities.

‘We felt that we needed to continue and we are heading for the parade this Sunday. 

‘The Queen’s Corgis and Sarah Ferguson would be most welcome. I’m sure it would help them.

‘Corgis are very sociable and to be in a group with other corgis and other people – they would enjoy it for sure.’

Last year, despite clashing with a train strike and the London Half Marathon corgis turned out in force to pay respect to the Queen a month after her death.

The world has come to associate the Queen with Corgis, and for 85 years, between 1933 and 2018, the Queen owned at least one Corgi.

Overall there was a total of 14 dynasties of the breed in the Royal household.

Her Majesty had owned 33 Corgis during her reign and was often pictured with the dogs out and about.

Ms Crerer-Gilbert is looking to gather together the breed to once again pay tribute as they walk together past Buckingham Palace this Sunday

Ms Crerer-Gilbert and Ruffus – pictured dressed as a Beefeater – think the Queen’s corgi would love to join in the parade, and it would help them as they mourn the monarch

Fashionista Ruffus is not such a fan of the costumes – Ms Crerer-Gilbert says – but he will put up with them because he knows there is an ice cream in it for him at the end of the day

Queen Elizabeth II sitting on a grassy bank with her corgis at Virginia Water to watch competitors, including Prince Philip, in the Marathon of the European Driving Championship with her Corgis in 1973

A young Princess Elizabeth prior to becoming Queen, with two corgi dogs at her home at 145 Piccadilly, London, July 1936

Speaking about the previous parade, royal-lover Ms Crerer-Gilbert continued: ‘The turnout was really good and it was an amazing day and it brought a smile to everyone’s faces.

‘The atmosphere was an optimistic one although obviously we were shocked and saddened by her passing.

‘We felt, in a way, she would know that we were there for her, that we are there for her, and we will continue to celebrate her life.

‘I wouldn’t say Ruffus is born to do this but he loves the attention.

‘He does not like the costume so much! He does not like wearing the crown that much – but he doesn’t have big objections. He knows he is going to get an ice cream out of this!

‘He doesn’t put any effort in this – he just doesn’t object to being dressed up. 

‘The Queen enjoyed all the photographs that she recieved from the Christmas jumper parade – I’m not sure she would have joined us in person but certainly in spirit she would have done.’

In 2022 the Queen had two Corgis, a Dorgi (cross between a Corgi and a Daschund) and a Cocker Spaniel. The 10-year-old Dorgi called Candy is said to be the oldest of the bunch.

Last year, despite clashing with a train strike and the London Half Marathon Corgis turned out in force to pay respect to the Queen a month after her death

The world has come to associate the Queen with Corgis, and for 85 years, between 1933 and 2018, the Queen owned at least one Corgi

Last year, despite clashing with a train strike and the London Half Marathon corgis turned out in force to pay respect to the Queen a month after her death

Her love of Corgis stretches back to her childhood, when her father King George VI bought Princess Elizabeth and her younger sister Princess Margaret a Pembrokeshire Welsh Corgi when she was seven.

King George brought one named Dookie home for her and Princess Margaret, after they played and fell in love with Viscount Weymouth’s own Corgi.

The King and Queen Mother tried to breed Dookie, and a few years later he had two puppies with another mate, who were named Crackers and Carol.

Susan the Corgi arrived in 1944 for the Queen’s 18th birthday, and they quickly became inseparable.

The Queen loved Susan so much that she joined the Monarch and Prince Philip on honeymoon in 1947.

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