While corgis stole the spotlight for decades, this royal couple adored their pugs

While the late Queen Elizabeth II loved her corgis more than anything, and King Charles and Queen Camilla adore their terriers, one royal couple enshrined their love of dogs in another way. 

The Duke and Duchess of Windsor lived a somewhat limited life, largely in France, after Edward abdicated the throne in December 1936. The couple, were known for their extravagant ways and they were able to memorialise their beloved pugs in several ways. 

Notably, one of Wallis’ sofas at their home in the Bois de Boulogne outside of Paris was completely outfitted with eleven pug shaped cushions, one for each of their canine companions. 

Sotheby’s sold the pillows at a 1997 auction, fetching over $500 USD for a single pillow. And it was sold again in 2023 for over $3,000 USD. 

The Duke and Duchess of Windsor did not limit their collection to the representative pillows. They also owned handmade embroidered cushions with pug designs, pug shaped paperweights, and even water and food bowls. 

Although their love of pugs might seem somewhat novel in a family that was largely devoted to corgis, Queen Victoria actually owned well over thirty of the tiny toy dogs throughout her reign. However, she would have been far from amused at Edward’s decision to give up his throne, despite their dog bond.