Prince William meets people from all walks of life during public engagements – and a clip from a recent trip has gone viral as it shows a different side to the Royal Family member
With their palaces, pomp and centuries of ceremony, the Royal Family can often feel a world away from everyday life. But every so often, a public engagement cuts through the formality and offers a reminder that the royals have the same soft spots as the rest of us.
That was certainly the case during Prince William’s recent visit to Dartmoor. The 44-year-old’s visit marked the launch of the Princetown Community Fund, which will provide £250,000 – comprising grants ranging from £500 to £40,000 – to support local social, economic and environmental projects.
However, an unexpected moment quickly stole the show. Many were left swooning when the Prince of Wales met a dog – and his adorable, down-to-earth reaction had people saying it was the most relatable thing they’d seen from him in a while.
Photographer and writer Tony Lee posted a short clip of the moment on Instagram, writing: “That moment when you’re on a research trip in Dartmoor and you’ve stopped where Conan Doyle stayed while writing THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES and you bump into HRH Prince William and he asks about your puppy. Remember to follow Darcy! She knows all the right people! @itsdarcythespaniel”.
The photograph shows the Prince pausing in the street to stroke the spaniel. Dressed smartly in his suit, he was evidently distracted enough to stop whatever he was doing, demonstrating his clear love of dogs.
The picture went viral on X – with many commenting how cute the moment was. One wrote: “What a nice surprise!”
Another added: “Adorable.” A third replied: “Aw how sweet! And the puppy liked him.” Meanwhile, a fourth commented: “Swoon.”
Despite their busy royal diaries, Prince William and Princess Catherine have long been known as proper dog lovers. The family’s primary pet is a black cocker spaniel named Orla, who was gifted to them by Kate’s brother, James Middleton, in 2020.
Recently, the royal couple expanded their furry family when Orla gave birth to a litter of puppies. They kept one – a chocolate cocker spaniel named Otto, whose name was officially revealed on his first birthday in May 2026.
The royal household treats their dogs as true members of the family. Before Orla, they shared their lives with another beloved black cocker spaniel named Lupo, who sadly passed away in 2020.
Their dogs frequently make appearances during important royal milestones and casual outings alike. Orla is often spotted accompanying William to charity polo matches, enjoying rainy walks on National Pet Day, and even posing affectionately alongside Princess Charlotte and Prince George in their official birthday portraits.
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