Queen Camilla and King Charles III are left heartbroken after their rescue dog Beth passed away due to an untreatable tumor.
Loosing a pet who has been with you for so many years can bring immense sadness and pain; it’s like losing a family member and a best friend. And what Queen Camilla is feeling right now could be beyond words. On November 18, 2024, the British royal family announced the passing of the queen’s rescue dog Beth.
On Instagram, the Buckingham Palace posted a montage of images of Beth, sharing that the dog brought so much joy during walkies and was helpful in official duties. Even just by curling up by the fire, Beth brought that warm, fuzzy feeling, according to the social media post. Beth was adopted by Queen Camilla from the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in 2011, and she was put down after the experts found an untreatable tumor.
Beth as a Public Figure
Queen Camilla has appeared in numerous events with Beth and her other dog, Bluebell, by her side. In 2020, during Queen Camilla and King Charles III’s wedding anniversary portrait, Beth and Bluebell stole the show and posed with them. In 2022, both dogs were embroidered onto the front area of the queen’s white coronation gown that she wore to the Westminster Abbey service in London. Also, last November, Queen Camilla gave a nod to her pets during the King’s Speech. The queen took in Beth when she was still a puppy and Bluebell back in 2012, after she found the pup as a stray in a London park. Queen Camilla is a known lover of dogs and a long-time ambassador and patron of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. In one of the sweetest moments with Beth, the queen attended the opening of new kennels at Battersea in 2020 and Beth helped unveiled a plaque to mark the event.
Even before the passing of Beth, the royal couple has already been going through a rough time as King Charles, 76, was diagnosed with cancer early this year. Meanwhile, Queen Camilla, 77, also had medical issues to deal with. In early November, the queen wasn’t able to attend a couple of public events, including the Field of Remembrance service, because of a chest infection.
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Coping with Pet Loss
Death is inevitable and that is true for both humans and our furry companions. But when faced with the loss of a pet, it’s possible for you to feel lost. This is normal and so is the sense of grief. These feelings can be overwhelming and the best way to manage them is to let them run their course.
It’s important, however, to not get lost in the negatives. This is why you must be open to receiving support from family and friends. Engage in activities that could lift your spirits and would allow you to take small breaks from sadness. Here are a few more suggestions to cope with the loss of a pet:
- Try to focus on the life you shared with your pet rather than your final moments with them, especially if they were traumatic. It’s about looking at the big picture and reminiscing your favorite moments with them.
- Continue your relationship with your pet through memories. The memories of your pet will live on if you take steps in keeping them. For instance, you can craft a scrapbook and look at past photos. Write about your feelings or a letter to your pet, or create a memory box with their favorite things.
- Find comfort in routines and slowly rebuild your life. Acknowledge that the grief process isn’t linear. Remember that it’s normal to start feeling better, and experience grief again. There’s no timeline for how long this feeling lasts, so make sure to take care of yourself as you go through the journey.
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From The Club
Losing a pet is one of the most painful things that could happen to us dog lovers, including Queen Camilla. I experienced it myself and felt lost after our furry companion of eight years passed away. All I can say is, you’re not going to be the same person after the loss. And I think that the feeling of grief is humbling. We couldn’t live with our pets and our loved ones forever, so we better spend every second being present with them and showing our love in the best way we could.
