“In light of recent
events, I wanted a name that is a touching tribute to the late Queen,” James,
the younger brother of the Princess of Wales, said in an interview.
He decided on Bertie – the
name by which the Queen’s father George VI was known among family and friends –
in the hope that it will stand the young pup in good stead as he embarks on an
exciting adventure: becoming a guide dog.
James Middleton gave his latest puppy a regal title
James has chosen to give
Bertie to Guide Dogs so that he can eventually become a loyal companion to
someone with sight loss, and the 35-year-old recently visited the charity’s
National Centre near Leamington Spa, where he proudly handed the pup over.”
It was incredible that the
Queen dedicated her life to service, and in many ways Bertie the dog will be
dedicating his life to service too,” explains the entrepreneur, who
last September married French financial analyst Alizée Thevenet.
“I was extremely moved by
the events on Monday [19 September], which I’m still taken aback
by,” he adds.
“It is extraordinary to
see how many people’s lives Her Majesty touched, not just in our country, but
in the Commonwealth and around the world. My eyes have been opened even wider
to that.”