The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge confirmed their dog, Lupo, passed away last weekend. The royal couple announced their loss in a post on their Kensington Palace Instagram account, along with an adorable picture.

In a message signed with their initials, Kate and William said Lupo had been an integral part of family life for almost a decade and would be sadly missed. They wrote, “Very sadly last weekend, our dear dog Lupo passed away. He has been at the heart of our family for the past nine years, and we will miss him so much.”

W and C, the English Cocker Spaniel, was bred from a dog owned by the Duchess’s parents, Michael and Carole Middleton, and became part of the royal household in 2011. Kate is thought to have named Lupo after her paternal great-grandmother, who was born Olive Christiana Lupton. The unique name also translates to “wolf” in Italian.

Over the years, Lupo became a star in his own right and featured in a number of precious photographs of the royals. The family pet appeared in some of the first official portraits of Prince George, including an outdoor snap sitting next to William as Kate cradles their firstborn in 2013.

Lupo also made an appearance alongside George three years later in 2016. The pair could be seen on a picnic blanket as George leans in to feed his precious friend. In his first official interview after becoming a father, William gave Lupo a special mention. He insisted their four-legged friend had adapted well to another person living in the house. William said, “For me, Catherine, and now little George are my priorities, and Lupo.” The royal dog is also thought to have played a key role in choosing the name of their first child.

Kate and William are understood to have scattered pieces of paper with various names on the floor of their home, and Lupo reportedly stopped when he reached George. Tributes have poured in on social media following the death of Lupo, including from Kate’s brother, James Middleton. In a touching post on Instagram, he wrote, “It is with great sadness that Lupo, the beloved dog of my sister Catherine and her family, has passed away. However, for those who have loved a dog, know the truth: a dog is not just a pet; it is a member of the family, a best friend, a loyal companion, a teacher, and a therapist.”