A puppy given to the Queen while Prince Philip was in hospital has reportedly died.

The apparent death at the weekend of dorgi puppy, Fergus, who was aged around five months old, is said to have left the Queen “devastated” and comes just weeks after her husband died.

Fergus was given to the Queen along with another dorgi called Muick after the Duke of Edinburgh, who died aged 99 last month, fell ill in February.

According to The Sun, the Queen took the dorgi pups, which are a cross between a corgi and a dachshund, for daily walks in the grounds of Windsor Castle.

A source told the newspaper: “The Queen is absolutely devastated.

“The puppies were brought in to cheer her up during a very difficult period.

“Everyone concerned is upset as this comes so soon after she lost her husband.”

The Queen is said to have seen Fergus and Muick as a “distraction” while she was grieving.

Joe Little, managing editor of Majesty Magazine, said: “The thinking was enough was enough, and that she was getting too old for new dogs and who would look after them when she was gone.

“But clearly that decision was reversed and, as it turned out, it probably is very fortuitous.

“I think it’s useful to have these puppies in her life now as way of a distraction.”

Buckingham Palace has so far declined to comment.

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