Meghan Markle is grieving the passing of her cherished rescue beagle, Guy.
On Tuesday, January 7, the Duchess of Sussex, 43, announced the sad news of her dog's death on her new Instagram account, stating in part: "I have shed countless tears - the kind that compel you to seek solace in the shower, hoping the running water will somehow mask your grief. But the tears remain. And that is alright. Thank you, my sweet Guy, for so many years of unwavering love. You enriched my life in ways you will never know. With love, Meghan."
Guy was a steadfast companion through many significant moments in Meghan's life—from her days on Suits, to Harry's garden proposal, and even her royal wedding. He also made an appearance in the trailer for the duchess's forthcoming lifestyle series, "With Love, Meghan", comfortably lying in his dog bed beside her in the kitchen.
In her heartfelt Instagram tribute, which included a montage of family photos and videos of Guy over the years (featuring touching moments with her children, Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3), Meghan wrote: "In 2015, I adopted a beagle from a rescue in Canada who had been euthanasia-listed in a shelter in Kentucky. I rescued him....and fell in love.
"They called him 'the little guy' due to his diminutive and fragile state, so I named him 'Guy'. And he was indeed the best guy any girl could wish for.
"If you followed me on Instagram in earlier times, you would have seen countless posts about him – and on The Tig as well. He was with me at Suits, during my engagement (and subsequent marriage), when I embraced motherhood....he was there through it all: the tranquility, the turmoil, the serenity, and the solace.
"He suffered a dire accident shortly before my move to the UK, which necessitated months of surgeries and left him confined to a clinic. Despite doctors' doubts about his ability to walk again, Dr. Noel Fitzpatrick remained optimistic. H and I would visit Guy late at night, after hours, throughout his lengthy recovery in Surrey.
"I will eternally be grateful to Noel and his team, the team at Queen West Animal Hospital in TO, our current veterinarians, and my friends and community: Thank you for cherishing him so.
"Because many of you will now see Guy in this new series, I hope you understand the depth of my sorrow over his loss. I believe you may develop a fondness for him as well.
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| Meghan Markle and her dog, Guy. |
Guy's remarkable rescue journey began at the Montgomery County Animal Shelter, a high-risk shelter in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky. In 2015, volunteers transported him to A Dog’s Dream Rescue in Ontario, Canada. Soon after his arrival, Meghan, 43, discovered the rescue’s page on Petfinder and contacted them via email. She believed a beagle, noted for its energy, kindness, and gentleness, would suit her well, and Dolores Doherty, the founder and owner of the rescue center, concurred. Doherty then sent Meghan an adoption application, which she completed and returned within ten minutes.
Doherty invited Meghan—who had not yet met Prince Harry, 40—to a forthcoming adoption event at a local pet store, and Meghan attended. At the time, Doherty was unaware of Meghan's identity as a working actress starring in the television show "Suits," but she was impressed by Meghan's self-assurance, courtesy, and striking beauty, as she later shared with PEOPLE.
At the event, Meghan quickly took a liking to Guy after a trial walk and decided to adopt him. Guy soon became a regular feature on Meghan's Instagram account, which she deactivated in 2018 before her marriage into the royal family.
Reflecting on Meghan’s choice to adopt Guy, Doherty recalled thinking that the dog led a luxurious life after seeing their photographs. She admired Meghan’s decision to adopt, noting that it generated significant positive exposure.
When Meghan relocated to the United Kingdom to commence her life with Prince Harry, Guy accompanied her. In 2017, Guy faced a serious setback when he broke both of his legs, an incident that left Meghan deeply distressed. Under the care of renowned veterinary surgeon Noel Fitzpatrick, Guy recovered. During Harry and Meghan's engagement announcement in November of the same year, Meghan mentioned him in their engagement interview, highlighting the time she had spent with both of her rescue dogs and confirming Guy's presence in the UK.
Meghan, Harry and Guy, as seen in 'Harry & Meghan' on Netflix.
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The other canine companion, Bogart, was brought into Meghan's home due to a recommendation from none other than Ellen DeGeneres. Meghan recounted to Best Health that she encountered DeGeneres and her spouse, Portia de Rossi, while she was at an animal shelter. DeGeneres inquired if Bogart, a German Shepherd-Lab mix, belonged to her, to which Meghan responded that she was contemplating his adoption. Upon DeGeneres' urging to “Rescue the dog!”, Meghan likened it to receiving advice from Oprah, saying, “I was holding him when she asked if I had a name in mind. I replied, 'I think I'd name him Bogart,' and she insisted, 'You're taking the dog home.'”
As DeGeneres was getting into her car, she turned back, tapped on the window, and reiterated, 'Take the dog!' Subsequently, Meghan adopted him, attributing it to Ellen’s influence, as she mentioned in her statement.
Meghan Markle and Ellen DeGeneres.
Prior to her nuptials with Prince Harry in May 2018, a book detailing Guy’s incredible journey, titled His Royal Dogness, Guy the Beagle: The Rebarkable True Story of Meghan Markle’s Rescue Dog, was published. On the day of the wedding, Guy remained at Meghan's feet while she had her hair and makeup done.
Meghan's affection for dogs not only played a role as she and Prince Harry were developing their relationship, but it also endeared her to Queen Elizabeth. During their engagement interview, Harry revealed that the Queen — and her corgis — were quickly taken with Meghan, stating, “The corgis immediately accepted her. While I had spent 33 years being barked at, she received no such reaction."
Meghan added, “They were lying at my feet during tea!”
Harry responded, “Their tails were wagging, and I was amazed.”
In his 2023 memoir, Spare, Harry also shared that their mutual love for “fur babies” was one of the initial topics that helped Meghan bond with King Charles and Queen Camilla when they first met in 2016, the same year Meghan and Harry began their relationship.
Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, along with his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, listen attentively as Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex (not visible), speaks during the celebration of the Prince of Wales's 70th Birthday Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in London on May 22, 2018.
In 2018, Harry and Meghan welcomed a black Labrador named Pula into their family. The name Pula means “rain” in Setswana, the official language of Botswana, where Harry and Meghan had their third date.
By 2022, now parents to Archie and Lilibet and residing in Montecito, the couple adopted a senior rescue beagle named Mamma Mia. This dog had been rescued from a Virginia breeding facility by the Beagle Freedom Project. Guy, Pula, and Mamma Mia were all featured in Harry and Meghan's 2024 holiday card; it was Mamma Mia's first appearance, while Guy and Pula had been included in previous cards.
“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are the most loving, sensitive, and caring adopters I have ever met!” said Shannon Keith, an animal rights attorney who oversees the Beagle Freedom Project, in a statement to PEOPLE. "We were deeply honored by their support of Beagle Freedom Project and their decision to adopt an abused dog."
Keith noted that Harry and Meghan had the option to adopt one of the many puppies available but chose to adopt an older dog instead.
Mamma Mia, a beagle rescued by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Beagle Freedom Project/Mega
"They specifically chose to adopt Mia, a rescue dog who might be overlooked due to her age, health issues, and trauma from past abuse," Keith remarked. "I was extremely impressed by their dedication to animal welfare. They have kept us updated on how well Mamma Mia is adapting to her new, wonderful home!"
While serving as a working royal, one of Meghan’s patronages was the animal shelter and charity Mayhew. She wrote about her experiences as a rescue dog owner in the organization’s 2019 annual report.
“As a proud rescue dog owner, I can personally attest to the joy that comes from welcoming an animal into your home,” she wrote.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, during a forum on digital responsibility at EAN University during a visit to Colombia on August 15, 2024, in Bogota, Colombia.
Diego Cuevas/Getty Images
During a visit to Mayhew in January 2019, Meghan demonstrated her natural demeanor with the dogs. CEO Caroline Yates observed that she was “very natural with the dogs, as one needs to be.” Meghan shared a story about her dog Guy, who had been previously mistreated and left to fend for himself.
“He was terrified to enter through the front door. He was unfamiliar with climbing stairs,” Meghan recounted. “But with patience, you eventually end up with the best dog in the world.”
This occurred during a challenging year when Harry and Meghan decided to step back from their roles as working royals and relocated to the United States.
Following a pregnancy loss, Yates mentioned that Meghan's dogs had been a source of comfort for the Duchess of Sussex.
"Whenever we discuss the charity with the Duchess, she consistently emphasizes the vital role her dogs play and the support they provide, especially during this year's challenges with COVID and her personal struggles," Yates stated about Meghan's experience in 2020.
"It was truly wonderful to share our experiences with her regarding the significance of animals during difficult times and the solace they can offer," she added.