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November 23, 2020

Prince William and Duchess Kate mourn death of family dog Lupo

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Prince William, Duchess Kate and their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, are mourning a beloved member of their family, their dog Lupo.

William and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, shared in an Instagram post Sunday that Lupo, a 9-year-old cocker spaniel, passed away earlier this month.

"Very sadly last weekend our dear dog, Lupo, passed away. He has been at the heart of our family for the past nine years and we will miss him so much," the Cambridges wrote, signing the post as "W & C."

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A post shared by Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@kensingtonroyal)

Lupo was a wedding gift to William and Kate from Kate's brother James Middleton, who is the owner of Lupo's mom, Ella. Middleton also shared a tribute to Lupo on Instagram.

MORE: Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip celebrate 73rd wedding anniversary with card from George, Charlotte and Louis

"Nothing can ever prepare you for the loss of a dog. For those who have never had a dog, it might be hard to understand the loss," he wrote. "However for those who have loved a dog know the truth: a dog is not just a pet; it is a member of the family, a best friend, a loyal companion, a teacher and a therapist."

"Rest in peace Lupo ... You will always be remembered and your legacy will live on forever. Good Boy," Middleton concluded his post.

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Lupo was front and center over in Cambridge family photos over the years, notably including the first official photos of Prince George in 2013.

PHOTO: Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, pose in the garden of the Middleton family home in Bucklebury, southern England, with their son Prince George and cocker spaniel Lupo in this undated photograph released Aug. 19, 2013.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge/Handout via Reuters
Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, pose in the garden of the Middleton family home in Bucklebury, southern England, with their son Prince George and cocker spaniel Lupo in this undated photograph released Aug. 19, 2013.

A few years later, in 2016, George, now 7, was also photographed playing with Lupo in photos released for his third birthday.

Can’t believe it’s been three years already! pic.twitter.com/JFJOJtIgm6

— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) July 22, 2016

Lupo also made appearances by William and Kate's side at several polo matches.

PHOTO: Zara Phillips, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (carrying his dog Lupo), Mike Tindall, Peter Phillips and Catherine Duchess of Cambridge attend The Golden Metropolitan Polo Club Charity Cup polo match, June 17, 2012, in Tetbury, England.
Max Mumby/Indigo via Getty Images, FILE
Zara Phillips, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (carrying his dog Lupo), Mike Tindall, Peter Phillips and Catherine Duchess of Cambridge attend The Golden Metropolitan Polo Club Charity Cup polo match, June 17, 2012, in Tetbury, England.
PHOTO: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attends The Golden Metropolitan Polo Club Charity Cup polo match, in which Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry played, at the Beaufort Polo Club on June 17, 2012, in Tetbury, England.
Max Mumby/Indigo via Getty Images, FILE
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attends The Golden Metropolitan Polo Club Charity Cup polo match, in which Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry played, at the Beaufort Polo Club on June 17, 2012, in Tetbury, England.
PHOTO: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry walk with Prince William's and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge's dog Lupo after playing in the Audi Polo Challenge charity polo match at Coworth Park Polo Club on May 13, 2012, in Ascot, England.
Max Mumby/Indigo via Getty Images, FILE
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry walk with Prince William's and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge's dog Lupo after playing in the Audi Polo Challenge charity polo match at Coworth Park Polo Club on May 13, 2012, in Ascot, England.

Speaking of the important role Lupo played in the Cambridges' household, ABC News royal consultant Victoria Murphy said of the dog in 2015, "Lupo is their absolute, beloved pet dog, who they treat exactly like one of the family."

The Cambridges kept Lupo with them at their homes at Kensington Palace, their main residence in London, and Anmer Hall, their family home in Norfolk, where they have spent much of their time during the coronavirus pandemic.

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