Farewell Monty: The Queen buries beloved corgi

It has been a trying few weeks for the Queen as younger members of the royal family have been getting into the news for all the wrong reasons. But by far the hardest challenge for the monarch was getting over the death of her beloved corgi, Monty.

Heart-breaking: The Queen lays 13-year-old Monty to rest

Family pet: The dog had previously belonged to the Queen Mother

The dog – who appeared alongside the Queen in that Olympics video – died earlier this month, but an image of the Queen’s grief as she buried her beloved pet has only just been released.

The emotional photo shows the head of state kissing Monty as he is lowered into the ground.

In happier times: The Queen watches as a manservant plays with her beloved corgis

The corgi was 13 years old and had previously belonged to the Queen Mother. He was named after Monty Roberts, a famous dog and horse whisperer who advises the Queen on her pets.

Little Monty leaves behind two other corgis, Willow and Holly. The Queen also has two dorgis – a dachsund-corgi cross-breed – called Vulcan and Candy.

Roberts has kindly offered to buy the Queen a new corgi puppy. Is he trying to ensure he retains his most high-profile client? Or perhaps he is hoping she’ll call him Monty II?