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The Sussex family are renowned animal lovers. Before they welcomed their first child, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor into their family, the couple adopted a black labrador. Not much was known about the Sussexes family pet until recently when a new biography about the couple was published. But what is the heartwrenching meaning behind the name of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s dog?

The name of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s pet dog was finally unveiled in the new royal biography Finding Freedom.

The couple adopted a black labrador in August 2018 and now the pooch’s name has been revealed as Pula.

Pula is the currency of Botswana.

This is the south African country where Prince Harry whisked Meghan away to enjoy some alone time early on in their relationship in 2016.

Speaking about the date during their engagement interview Prince Harry said: “We camped out with each other under the stars, sharing a tent and all that stuff. It was fantastic.”

The pair returned to Botswana a year later where they assisted Dr Mike Chase of Elephants Without Borders with the charity’s conservation efforts.

The Sussex couple has often spoken of their love for the country.

Prince Harry said: “I’ve been incredibly lucky to have been able to visit Botswana as many times as I have.”

He added: “I get more excited about seeing two birds fighting than the Big Five…I feel rooted in Africa and everything about it.”

Prince Harry visited again in 2019 when the Sussex family undertook their first family tour of countries in southern Africa.

Meghan and baby Archie remained in South Africa alone while the Duke of Sussex travelled on to Botswana, Angola and Malawi.

In Botswana, Harry undertook some tree planting with schoolchildren and visited his mental health charity Sentebale.

Harry also visited Chobe National Park where he dedicated an area of forest to the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy.

In 2019, Meghan celebrated Harry’s birthday by recreating their camping trip in their backyard.

A source told People! Magazine: “It’s a place that means so much to them — and to Harry in particular — so Meghan wanted to bring that happy place to him on his day so she set up a tent, got sleeping bags, cooked dinner and recreated Botswana where they fell in love.”

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The name Pula also means “rain” in Setswana.

Botswana’s climate is semi-arid which means it is hot and dry for much of the year.

But there is a rainy season, but this season only tends to happen for a short period of time.

Since it does not rain very often in Botswana, it is considered to be a blessing, like Meghan and Harry’s dog.

As Prince Harry revealed in the couple’s 2017 engagement interview with the BBC and CNN, the couple went to Botswana together after just a couple of dates.

He said: “And we camped out with each other under the stars.

“She came and joined me for five days out there, which was absolutely fantastic.”

Touchingly it was, in fact, a love of animals which brought the Queen and Meghan closer.

In 2017 during the couples engagement interview Harry laughed at the fact that Meghan adorned herself to the Queen immediately after the dogs took to her straight away.

He said: “I’ve spent the last 33 years being barked at – this one walks in, absolutely nothing.

“Just wagging tails – and I was just like, argh.”

Meghan added: “Just laying on my feet during tea. It was very sweet.”

Last year, a source close to the couple said they were passionate about raising Archie with a four-legged friend.

The couple was apparently planning to tour rescue centres near their Windsor home to find a suitable pet.

A royal source told The Sun: “Meghan really wants a dog with whom Archie can associate his childhood.”

Pula is the second dog owned by the couple, with Meghan already owning a rescue beagle named Guy.

The royal source added: “Rescue dogs are a huge passion for her so the pull to adopt rather than buy a puppy is far stronger.

“Meghan really wants a dog with whom Archie can associate his childhood.

“She hopes they strike up an incredible bond and Archie can make plenty of memories.”

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