Queen Camilla reveals she's welcomed a new puppy named Moley to Clarence House - after death of her beloved Jack Russell, Beth

The King and Queen have a new resident at Clarence House, a rescue puppy named 'Moley'. While on a visit to Kent today, Queen Camilla couldn't hide her excitement about her new pet, which comes following the death of her beloved Jack Russell, Beth, in November last year.

On an engagement in Canterbury, she told well-wishers that she had just taken charge of the eight-week-old puppy, which she had named ‘Moley’ - because he ‘looks like a mole’. Asked what breed he is, she joked: ‘You may well ask, a bit of everything. Looks just like a mole.’.

The royal who was visiting the Beaney House of Art and Knowledge in the historic city patted a golden retriever as she revealed to those at the centre that she was the proud owner of the new puppy. The Queen was said to be devastated after being forced to put Beth, 13, a Battersea Dogs and Cats Home rescue, to sleep just over a week ago after she was diagnosed with an inoperable tumour and her condition rapidly went downhill.

Later that month, King Charles said the couple planned to get a new dog - and now it looks like they've found their perfect four-legged friend. The Queen pictured Beth, who was 13, and a Battersea Dogs and Cats Home rescue dog; the beloved pet was put to sleep in November.

Queen Camilla pictured today during a visit to the Beaney House of Art and Knowledge in Canterbury, Kent. Her Majesty had to make the difficult decision to put the adorable Jack Russell to sleep at the age of 13 after being diagnosed with cancer. The Queen had a very close bond with the 'very special dog' - like Queen Elizabeth II, who was famed for her love of corgis.

'A sad farewell to Beth, The Queen's much-loved companion from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home who brought such joy, whether on walkies, helping on official duties, or curled up by the fire', a spokesman said at the time. She adopted the then 12-week-old pup in August 2011 after falling in love with her picture in an email sent to her by Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.

The King and Queen share another terrier, Bluebell. Camilla, who became patron of the charity in 2016, told the Mail at the time: 'I couldn't resist her. She is gorgeous. It is so exciting. I can't wait for her to meet the family.'. She already had two elderly Jack Russells, Tosca and Rosie, who have both since passed away.

Beth quickly got her paws under the table and, in a remarkable canine rags-to-riches 'tail', found herself on route in a chauffeur-drive car to Balmoral just weeks after being handed into the rescue centre. Camilla had already mentioned to them that she was keen to find a replacement for her beloved Freddy, another Jack Russell who died three years before at the grand old age of 21.

She adopted the then 12-week-old pup in August 2011 after falling in love with her picture in an email sent to her by Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. King Charles III and Queen Camilla (then the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall) holding her dogs Beth (left) and Bluebell in 2015.

Camilla with Beth at Highgrove as an ITV documentary charting her guest editorship of Country Life in 2022 - her dogs also appeared on the magazine cover. Like all clients she had to pay a standard £105 rehoming fee and undergo a 'home vetting' procedure by the centre's staff.

They carried out throughout background checks of Highgrove and Raymill, Camilla's private Wiltshire home, where the new pup was to largely live. She was named Beth by the dogs' home staff and the Duchess of Cornwall, as Camilla was then, decided it suited her so well that she decided to keep it.

At the time, a source said: 'Trust me, she will have a wonderful life. Beth has most definitely fallen on her paws.'. Over the years, Camilla paid tribute to her pets by having them embroidered on her Coronation gown, gave them her pearl necklaces for a magazine cover, and was joined by Beth in a picture posted by the royal family for her 75th birthday in 2022.

Meanwhile, an unearthed clip from the BBC One royal documentary Charles III: The Coronation Year released in December 2023 highlighted Camilla's sweet bond with her dog. In the documentary, which followed Charles's first year as King, the royal couple went for a casual dog walk with Camilla dressed in jeans and a jacket and Charles in a tweed jacket and tie.