Meghan Markle has made a heartbreaking decision to leave one of her beloved dogs behind after moving to the UK to start her new life with fiance Prince Harry.
The American actress has two rescue dogs – a beagle, Guy, and a labrador-shepherd cross, Bogart – who she would keep in touch with via FaceTime during her long stints away.
Kensington Palace confirmed Guy has come to the UK and has legal permission to stay here, but Bogart has been left behind.
Meghan Markle is separating from one of her beloved rescue dogs after Kensington Palace confirmed labrador-shepherd cross Bogart, pictured top, would not be coming to the UK
The palace confirmed Bogart would be staying in the US ‘with friends’ of Miss Markle while beagle Guy, bottom, would come to stay with the newly-engaged couple
A spokesman said Miss Markle remains fond of both dogs and the decision was ‘complex’
Prince Harry, left with Miss Markle, also confirmed she was a hit with The Queen’s corgis
It has prompted speculation from fans on social media that Bogart may have been left behind because he is ‘too big or too old’ to fly to the UK.
Many animal lovers have expressed their sadness online at the pet being separated from Miss Markle.
The Prince’s communication secretary Jason Knauf said: ‘Bogart is now living with friends.’
The Palace refused to speculate as to why Bogart was not brought to the UK and added the decision ‘would have lots of complexity to it’ while confirming Miss Markle remains ‘fond of her dogs’.
To be able to come to the UK, Guy had to be subjected to several vaccinations and bloodtests, as well as being microchipped.
It is understood he is ‘living very happily’ at Kensington Palace with the couple.
Speaking yesterday in the couple’s first interview following their engagement, Miss Markle told told the BBC’s Mishal Husain: ‘I have two dogs that I’ve had for quite a long time, both my rescue pups.
‘And one is now staying with very close friends and my other little guy is, yes he’s in the UK, he’s been here for a while. I think he’s doing just fine.’
The decision to leave Bogart at home has prompted an outcry of sadness on social media with some speculating whether he is too old or big to travel
Ms Markle has said the pair ‘mean the absolute world’ to her and she refers to them as ‘my loves’ and ‘my boys’.
Guy and Bogart have regularly featured on her Instagram account, with Guy even appearing in a patriotic knitted union flag jumper.
It was American comedian and chat show host Ellen DeGeneres who convinced Ms Markle to adopt Bogart, her first pet, after she bumped into her in a shelter.
‘She turns around and comes and taps on the window glass and she yells ‘take the dog!’ And so I brought him home. Because Ellen told me to,’ she said.
Miss Markle has frequently featured her dogs on social media over the years, pictured
She even dressed up Guy the beagle in a Union Jack dog jumper after she started dating the Prince
Meanwhile Prince Harry has revealed the Queen’s corgi and dorgis took to his fiancee ‘straight away’.
The prince revealed the dog loving Suits star had charmed his grandmother’s pets far easier than even he had ever managed.
In their first interview since announcing their engagement, Harry said: ‘And the corgis took to you straight away.’
‘I’ve spent the last 33 years being barked at; this one walks in, absolutely nothing …’
Describing the moment, Ms Markle, who has two rescue dogs, a beagle named Guy and a labrador-shepherd mix called Bogart, said: ‘Just laying on my feet during tea, it was very sweet.’
Miss Markle is a keen advocate of adopting dogs and has been vocal on social media about the issue
And Prince Harry added: ‘… just wagging tails and I was just like argh.’
The couple are to marry in May at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, Kensington Palace has announced.
The American actress, who will become a senior HRH on marrying into the royals, also intends to become a British citizen.
As the couple make preparations for their big day, Ms Markle, a protestant who went to a catholic high school, will be both baptised and confirmed, ready for the religious ceremony.
The royal family will pay for the wedding, including the church service, the music, the flowers and the reception, the palace said.