
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have adopted an adorable seven-year-old beagle named Mamma Mia, and I would like to apologize in advance for the sheer amount of ABBA puns I will be making.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex ~took a chance on~ the sweet pup, because they preferred to help an older dog, since these are harder to rehome.
Mamma Mia (or simply "Mia") was rescued from the Envigo breeding and research plant in Virginia, where she had lived in dire conditions, along with eight of her puppies, the Los Angeles Times reports. A rep for the duchess says she had heard about Envigo, and wanted to do something for the beagles.
Mia and her puppies made the journey from Virginia to Maryland, then traveled to Los Angeles County's San Fernando Valley, where the Sussexes chose to adopt her.
"The duchess called me personally," said Shannon Keith, who runs the Beagle Freedom Project, and who knew the caller was someone prominent, but didn't know exactly who it was. "She calls on my cell with no Caller ID and says, 'Hey Shannon, this is Meghan.' We talked for 30 minutes, and I thought, 'Is this Megan Fox?'"
The duke and duchess made a low-key journey to the Valley and it was immediately clear that they would be ~laying all their love on~ Mia. "The duchess is holding Mia and was like, 'We’re adopting her,'" Keith explained. "She was like 'No, we don’t want a Christmas puppy. … We want ones we can help who are older.'"
The royal couple was getting ready to drive home with their new ~chiquitita~ when the duke reportedly said, "Well, we can’t leave yet because there’s something in that back house she needs. Does she have a favorite toy or something?" Keith recalled.
Mia said ~gimme! gimme! gimme!~ of a toy fox from a box and Prince Harry declared, "OK, now we can go home." :) :) :)
The Sussexes are longtime dog lovers, and already own another rescue beagle named Guy, who has his own book deal, FYI. (He's getting that ~money, money, money~.) They also have a black Labrador named Pula.
During her time as a senior royal, the duchess was also a patron of the Mayhew animal welfare charity, and often visited animal shelters. She has also been vocal about how helpful pets can be for our mental health. And both she and the duke have often been photographed petting dogs.
The Sussexes aren't the only royals with a soft spot for doggos, of course: The Cambridges famously have a family dog named Orla, and the Queen is known for keeping corgi after corgi.
Iris Goldsztajn is a London-based journalist, editor and author. She is the morning editor at Marie Claire, and her work has appeared in the likes of InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Bustle and Shape. Iris writes about everything from celebrity news and relationship advice to the pitfalls of diet culture and the joys of exercise. She has many opinions on Harry Styles, and can typically be found eating her body weight in cheap chocolate.
-
I Scoured Through Hundreds of Runway Shows—These Are the Color Trends of Summer 2023
From the neutrals of quiet luxury to highly-saturated statements.
By Emma Childs
-
Unearthed Prince Harry Interview from 2017 Reveals He Already Wanted Out of the Royal Family—But Stayed for One Reason
He and wife Meghan Markle eventually left their roles as senior royals in 2020.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Matty Healy Addressed His Podcast Controversy: "It Doesn't Actually Matter"
Um...
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Prince William Not Expected to Invite Prince Harry to His Coronation, Friend Claims
That doesn't sound good.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
We Finally Know Where the Earthshot Prize 2023 Will Take Place
Let's go!
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Princess Kate Is Seen Skipping Happily With Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte in Behind-the-Scenes Footage
This is too cute.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Prince Harry Blames 'Daily Mirror' Publishers for Chelsy Davy Breakup in Court Documents
The court case began this week.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Tabloid Stories About Prince Harry Came From Members of the Royal Family, 'Daily Mirror' Publisher Claims
These claims could corroborate previous statements from Harry.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Princess Kate Hugged a Little Girl Who Burst Into Tears During Windsor Walkabout, And Told Her Mom to Get Her an Ice Cream
So cute!!!
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Here's How Princess Kate Kept an Eye on Prince Louis During the Coronation, According to a Body Language Expert
Smart.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Prince Louis Was Filmed Eating a S'more So Delicious It Literally Made Him "Weak at the Knees"
Oh, Louis.
By Iris Goldsztajn