Cats have been beloved pets of royalty for centuries. Even Queen Elizabeth II, the long-reigning British monarch, has had a special affection for felines over her 70-year reign. If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer about the Queen’s cat: The Queen has owned more than 30 corgis during her reign, but she also had a cat in the 1950s named Chausie.
The tabby stayed with the Queen for 18 years.
This article will explore Queen Elizabeth’s history as a cat owner. We’ll learn about Chausie the tabby cat as well as how the Queen made an exception to have a feline friend despite preferring to own Welsh corgi dogs.
The Queen’s Childhood Cat
How the royal family acquired a cat
In 1936, when Princess Elizabeth was 10 years old, her father King George VI surprised the family with a gift – a pet cat named Chausie. The tabby kitten was adopted by the King from the royal stables, where a litter of kittens had recently been born.
Bringing an animal companion into the royal household marked a shift toward more modern and informal times under the new monarch.
Chausie the tabby: The Queen’s feline companion
Chausie quickly became Elizabeth’s beloved pet. The spirited tabby with distinctive swirled fur was described as an “intelligent cat who knew his own mind”. Chausie accompanied the Princess on adventures around Buckingham Palace and kept her company during World War 2, when Elizabeth and her sister Margaret mostly stayed at Windsor Castle away from the bombings in London.
In her memoirs, Margaret recalled how the mischievous Chausie once crept into a visiting dignitary’s suitcase, startling the guest when he returned to his room! The Queen has reminisced fondly about games of chase with Chausie through the palace corridors.
The qualities that made Chausie a favorite palace pet
As a breed, Abyssinian cats like Chausie are known for their intelligence, curiosity, and loyalty. Chausie was no exception – his spirited but affectionate personality captured the heart of the young Princess.
Elizabeth’s nanny Marion Crawford recalled in her memoirs:
- “Chausie used to follow her about everywhere…he had his special basket in her room where he slept at night.”
- “She was devoted to that cat and he went everywhere with her.”
As Queen today, Elizabeth understands better than anyone the strain of duty and public life. In the midst of royal responsibilities, it is perhaps comforting for her to look back on happy childhood memories with her beloved cat Chausie.
The Queen’s Lifelong Love of Corgis
Princess Elizabeth got her first corgi in 1933
In 1933, when Princess Elizabeth was just 7 years old, her father King George VI brought home a Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppy named Dookie. This adorable little furball was to be the first of many corgis to come into the Princess’ life.
Elizabeth immediately fell in love with the breed, and Dookie kicked off her lifelong affection for corgis.
Over the next couple of decades, Elizabeth welcomed more corgis into her family. Susan was gifted to her on her 18th birthday in 1944. By the time Elizabeth ascended the throne in 1952, she had no less than three corgis at her side – Susan, Sugar, and Honey.
The royal corgis became famous members of the household
As Elizabeth’s corgis settled into Buckingham Palace, they quickly became famous characters in their own right. The spunky little dogs were known to greet guests and dignitaries when they arrived, sometimes nipping at people’s ankles!
The Queen was absolutely devoted to her pets. She fed them herself and took them on regular walks around the Palace grounds. She even made special arrangements so they could travel with her on her royal tours and vacations.
A few of her favorite corgis became so well known that they got their own obituaries in British newspapers when they passed away.
At one point in the 1990s, the Queen had no less than 9 corgis running around! She carefully bred them herself to keep the royal corgi bloodline going. Many ended up being given as gifts to visiting dignitaries or members of the royal family.
Corgis matched the Queen’s energetic personality
What drew Elizabeth to corgis? Those who knew her say it was their energetic, feisty temperament. Despite their little legs, corgis have oversized personalities and an endless zest for life. They matched well with the Queen’s own upbeat spirit and dislike for sitting still.
She also loved that corgis are a hardy breed with a strong herding instinct. Being working dogs, they always needed something to do and got bored easily without regular activity and attention. This suited an active monarch who was always on the move herself.
While Elizabeth slowed down on breeding corgis in her later years, she still kept a few favorites close by her side, like Willow and Holly. Well into her 90s, she was still spry enough to take them for walks around Windsor Castle most days.
After 70 years of corgi companionship, it seems no other breed could match the special place corgis held in the Queen’s heart.
Why the Queen Didn’t Have More Cats
The Queen favored dogs as loyal working animals
Queen Elizabeth II was well known for her love of corgi dogs. She owned over 30 corgis during her lifetime. As a working monarch, the Queen appreciated the dogs’ herding instincts and loyalty. According to the American Kennel Club, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is an energetic breed that bonds closely with their human companion.
The Queen’s beloved corgis accompanied her throughout her reign.
Cats are more independent pets than dogs
While the Queen did have a cat companion later in life, she favored dogs as pets for most of her reign. Cats tend to be more aloof and independent than dogs, who enthusiastically shower their owners with affection. The Queen preferred the constant company of her loyal corgis.
Princess Margaret gifted the Queen a cat named Possum in the 1990s, but cats never overtook corgis as the monarch’s favorite furry friends.
Conclusion
While Queen Elizabeth will forever be associated with her beloved Welsh corgis, the tabby cat Chausie also holds a special place in the monarch’s history as a pet owner. For almost two decades, the furry feline provided the young Princess and future Queen with joyful companionship.
The Queen’s soft spot for cats shows that even the ruler of the British empire isn’t immune to the charms of a purring tabby. The royal relationship with Chausie the cat provides a charming glimpse into the Queen’s life as both a pet lover and devoted animal caregiver.
