Catherine In Tears As ‘Orla Dog’ Steals the Spotlight in Prince William’s The Reluctant Traveler
Prince William’s latest appearance on Eugene Levy’s Apple TV+ series The Reluctant Traveler has given royal watchers an unexpected treat—not only a rare behind-the-scenes look at Windsor Castle, but also the on-screen debut of the Wales family’s beloved dog, Orla. The playful black cocker spaniel trotted confidently behind the future king as he welcomed Levy to the castle grounds, her glossy coat and spirited energy immediately winning hearts. At one point, Orla weaved around William’s steps before bounding toward Levy, happily accepting a pat from the actor. The moment, brief yet endearing, underscored the dog’s growing role as both a royal companion and a quiet star in her own right.
For years, Orla had remained a mystery to much of the public. She joined the Wales household in early 2021, just months after the death of the family’s cherished English cocker spaniel, Lupo, who had been part of their lives for nearly a decade. Orla was a gift from Catherine’s younger brother, James Middleton, an avid dog lover and breeder, whose own spaniels produced the litter from which Orla was chosen. Her name, derived from Gaelic and meaning “golden princess,” seemed a fitting choice for the four-legged royal, though her glossy black coat gave her an air of quiet elegance.
Her first true step into the spotlight came on July 6, 2022, at the Guards Polo Club in Windsor, when she accompanied Catherine to cheer on Prince William in a charity match. That day, Catherine dazzled in an ivory floral Emilia Wickstead dress paired with wedge espadrilles and oversized tortoiseshell sunglasses. Yet, even amid the fashion admiration, it was the sight of the princess crouching down to embrace Orla—who bounded playfully in the grass—that stole the show. For many, it was the first glimpse of a new chapter in the Wales family’s bond with their pets.
The following year, Orla began to appear in some of the family’s most tender and personal portraits. On May 2, 2023, Princess Charlotte’s eighth birthday, Catherine released an image of her daughter cradling Orla in a wildflower field near their Windsor home. The photo, filled with sun-dappled joy, captured Charlotte’s beaming smile as she wrapped her arms tightly around the spaniel. It echoed an earlier portrait from Charlotte’s seventh birthday in 2022, when Orla had posed with the young princess among blooming bluebells, cementing her place as a fixture in these annual milestones.
But Orla’s presence has also carried deeper resonance. In September 2024, following months of uncertainty after Catherine revealed her cancer diagnosis, the princess shared a heartfelt video confirming she had completed her preventative chemotherapy. Filmed in the rolling countryside of Norfolk at Anmer Hall, the video included tender moments of the Wales family together, with Orla romping freely in the fields alongside a second spaniel named Nala, borrowed from James Middleton. For many viewers, Orla’s joyful presence amidst such a deeply personal announcement symbolized resilience, hope, and the quiet strength pets so often provide.
By 2025, Orla had become not just a cherished companion but a celebrity in her own right. On April 11, National Pet Day, Kensington Palace released a rare solo portrait of her—her fur dripping wet after a lively swim, ears bouncing, eyes sparkling with mischief. The candid shot delighted fans, who relished this glimpse of her personality away from formal occasions. Then, in May 2025, came perhaps her most joyful chapter yet: the announcement that Orla had given birth to four puppies. Kensington Palace confirmed the news alongside a birthday portrait of Prince William, who was pictured with his loyal spaniel and her new litter nestled at his feet. The image, warm and domestic, offered the public an intimate view of family life behind palace gates.
Now, with her debut on The Reluctant Traveler, Orla has stepped further into the limelight. Though her appearances remain rare, each one reinforces her status not only as a beloved family pet, but also as a symbol of continuity, warmth, and relatability within the monarchy. Just as Lupo once represented a more personal side of royal life, Orla now carries that mantle forward—an emblem of loyalty, joy, and the everyday love that even the most public of families holds dear.
