The Queen has been left heartbroken after the death of her beloved dog and “much-loved companion” Beth.

The Queen adopted the Jack Russell terrier from the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, just like her other rescue dog Bluebell.

Buckingham Palace posted the news on social media on Monday (British time) alongside a montage of images of the Queen’s pet, with the message describing the joy the animal brought to the King’s wife.

“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,” the post read.

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. 🐾 pic.twitter.com/AD5WZKODqB

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) November 18, 2024

It is understood Beth, who was 13, had an untreatable tumour and had to be put down at the weekend.

Beth, along with Bluebell, was so loved by the Queen that she even featured on the her coronation gown, with gold-work motifs of the two dogs embroidered onto the historic dress that the Queen wore to be crowned.

Beth appeared at royal engagements at the Queen’s side over the years.

She was there to compete in a loyalty duel with the late TV presenter and dog-lover Paul O’Grady and his dog Sausage at Battersea’s Brands Hatch centre in Kent in 2022 for the filming of the hit show For The Love Of Dogs.

The royal pet managed to ignore toys and treats to run back to her owner to win the trial.

And in 2020, Beth helped the Queen unveil a plaque as they opened kennels for the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.

A sausage was tied around a rope attached to a curtain covering the sign commemorating the Queen’s visit, with the then-duchess laughing as Beth grabbed the treat to pull the drape away.

The Queen is patron of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and O’Grady, who died in 2023, was a long-time ambassador for the animal welfare charity.

The Queen gave a home to Beth in 2011 when she was a three-month-old unwanted puppy. Bluebell arrived in 2012 after she was found wandering alone in a London park with a painful skin condition.

-AAP