😲 King Charles III reveals surprising dislike despite royal love for animals as small playful gift sparks curiosity among fans

While the Royal Family are famously big animal lovers, King Charles “cannot bear” to be in the same room as a cat

t’s no secret that the Royal Family are big animal lovers. From Queen Elizabeth II’s lifelong love of corgis to King Charles and Queen Camilla’s long-standing support for animal welfare charities and the Prince and Princess of Wales’ beloved Cocker Spaniel Orla, it’s clear the royals hold a special place in their heart for animals.

But did you know that King Charles does not like cats? The 77-year-old monarch is said to be so averse to the four-legged felines that he can detect whether one lives in a house, even if it’s absent at the time.

© Getty Images
King Charles is not a cat lover

King Charles’ aversion to cats

According to Brian Hoey, a former BBC correspondent and the author of the Princess Royal’s official biography, King Charles “cannot bear” to touch cats.

In his 2013 book, Pets by Royal Appointment, Brian wrote: “Princess Margaret gave him a kitten as a present when he was a child and he disliked it on sight.

“Since then, he has developed an aversion to everything feline and says he cannot even stand having one in the same room.”

© Samir Hussein./WireImage
King Charles and Queen Camilla both support animal charities

The Royal Family’s love of dogs

Dogs have played an important role in the lives of royal family members for centuries.

Queen Victoria received a portrait of her beloved Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Dash, as a 17th birthday present from her mother, The Duchess of Kent. Meanwhile, King George V had five dogs during his reign and King George VI was particularly fond of Labradors.

In more recent years, Queen Elizabeth II’s renowned love of corgis spanned her entire reign. The late monarch owned more than 30 during her life.

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Queen Elizabeth II’s love for corgis spanned her reign

The King is also a dog lover and acquired a lagotto romagnolo puppy named Snuff last year, while the Queen owns two Jack Russells, Bluebell and Moley.

Various other senior royals also own dogs, including the Prince and Princess of Wales with their English cocker spaniel Orla, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s beagle Mamma Mia and black labrador Pula and Zara and Mike Tindall’s two black labradors, Storm and Pepper, and brindle boxer Blink.

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Prince William and Princess Kate have a dog named Orla

Meanwhile, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has Norfolk terriers and also inherited the late Queen’s Pembrokeshire corgis.

Princess Anne’s love of dogs has landed her in trouble with the law in the past. The Princess Royal became the first senior member of the royal family to receive a criminal conviction after her bull terrier Dotty bit two children during a walk in Windsor Great Park in 2002.

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Prince William pictured with Orla’s puppies

While cats don’t appear to be hugely popular with members of the royal family, Princess Michael of Kent is a well-known lover of both Burmese and Siamese cats.