

Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to Marie Claire. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Don't mess with the Queen's corgis: it's, perhaps, the most obvious rule of them all. Elizabeth II is famously known as an animal lover and, over the course of her life, has had over 30 pet corgis in her care. (She even adopted two more corgi pups last year to console her as her husband, Prince Philip, was dying.) Since she was a little girl, her love of the adorably low-riding dogs has been well-known and documented.
So it's not surprising that, when a member of the royal family allegedly quipped that they "should be shot," the Queen had something to say about it.
According to The Mirror, the comment came from Princess Michael of Kent, a member of the family who is notorious for having her strong opinions made public on the regular since she married Prince Michael of Kent (Elizabeth's cousin) in 1978. And, to the surprise of no one, the comment did not go over well once it reached the Queen's ears.
In the book The Wicked Wit of Queen Elizabeth II by author Karen Dolby, the Queen, upon hearing Princess Michael's remarks, allegedly replied: "They're better behaved than she is." A royal burn if ever we've heard one.
And who could blame QEII for her retort? It's quite cruel to wish death upon a pet, especially ones as clearly beloved and—no doubt, given who their owner is and where they live—well-behaved as the Queen's corgis. They have their own footmen and a fancy royal menu made by skilled chefs! Surely they must also have manners, no?
In the end, when it comes to insulting the royal pets, the Queen's comebacks are the only thing that shoot to kill.
Marie Claire Newsletter
Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

Alicia Lutes is a writer—all kinds—based in Los Angeles, who has written extensively on culture, entertainment, and mental health. Her work has been featured in places such as Playboy, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, MTV, Cosmopolitan, Rotten Tomatoes, Bustle, and more. Previously, she was Managing Editor at Nerdist, as well as creator/former host of the web series Fangirling. She has been known to perform comedy and is also her own grandpa, so biographies are incredibly hard for her.
-
IMHO, These Items Wear the “Impulse Buy” Badge With Pride
You’ll soon see why.
By Humaa Hussain
-
JP and Taylor Got Engaged in 'Love Is Blind'—But What Happens Now?
Teasers show that there's trouble ahead once they get to Mexico.
By Quinci LeGardye
-
The Biggest Fall 2023 Nail Trends, According to Celebrity Nail Artists
Luxury is having a manicure moment.
By Samantha Holender
-
Prince William and Princess Kate Will Be in Wales Today to Pay Tribute to the Queen on the Anniversary of Her Death
The Queen had a special connection with the cathedral they're visiting.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Prince William Is "Built From the Queen's Mold," Says Royal Expert
He's learned a lot from her.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Sarah Ferguson Hints That Her Home is Haunted by the Queen
There’s a big clue at Royal Lodge that the Queen’s ghost is “passing by.”
By Rachel Burchfield
-
The Future of the Monarchy Could See Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis Working as a “Collective”
Heir and spare dynamic, be gone.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Snoop Dogg Offers to Perform at King Charles’ Coronation Concert After Multiple Acts Decline
His love for the royal family began in the most unexpected of ways.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
We Can’t Stop Laughing at Prince George Cringing Over Little Brother Prince Louis’ Antics at the Platinum Jubilee
Will we see more Louis hijinks at the Coronation?
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Despite Their Requests, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Have “No Chance” of Appearing on the Buckingham Palace Balcony After King Charles’ Coronation, Royal Expert Says
The saga continues.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Royal Photographer Says Prince George Is "Like William," Prince Louis Is "Like Harry"
Tell me you don't see it.
By Iris Goldsztajn