The Royal Menagerie: A Look at the British Royal Family's Fascinating History with Animals
The British royal family has a rich history of owning a diverse array of animals, going beyond the traditional love for dogs. King Charles, a devoted dog owner, has a strong aversion to cats. The royal household's relationship with animals has often included exotic creatures received as gifts during state visits or kept for companionship. Today, senior royals like Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince Harry, and Meghan Markle continue the tradition of owning dogs, while Princess Anne and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor have their own preferences for specific breeds.
Queen Elizabeth II's affection for animals extended to accepting unusual gifts like pygmy hippos and a baby crocodile, which were later housed in London Zoo. Other members of the royal family, including Elizabeth and Margaret, have cared for various pets like a chameleon gifted by Lord Louis Mountbatten. While the royal family has had a diverse range of pets, cats have been notably absent from modern royal residences, with feline ownership being rare among senior royals.
The royal family's relationship with animals has not been without controversy, as Princess Anne received a criminal conviction after one of her bull terriers attacked two children. Queen Elizabeth II's passion for horses and racing pigeons further showcased the monarchy's broad interests in the animal world. Palace insiders have humorously compared the royal family's history with animals to Michael Jackson's penchant for maintaining a zoo-like menagerie at his Neverland Ranch, which included exotic animals like Bubbles the chimpanzee, tigers, giraffes, and more common pets like cats and dogs.