The Duchess of Edinburgh’s Visit to Our Training Centre

On 21 January 2025, we were honoured to welcome Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Edinburgh, to our Training Centre in Alton. This visit provided a unique opportunity to showcase the profound impact our assistance dogs have on the lives of autistic people.

Upon arrival, The Duchess was introduced to some of our incredible volunteers, fundraisers, Ambassadors and Board of Trustees. She also met some of our partnerships, who were able to share with her the positive impact our dogs have had on their daily lives.

She was then introduced to Louis, a nine-week-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the latest addition to our training programme. Affectionately nicknamed “Lord Louis of Spudringham” by our team – a tribute to Prince Louis and a nod to Charles’s Sandringham estate in Norfolk – Louis was bred by Rachel James, a specialist cardiac vet dedicated to addressing health challenges in Cavaliers. Louis completely charmed The Duchess, who joked about taking him home. Louis is poised to follow in the successful footsteps of his older sibling, Lexi, who is already in our training programme.

The Duchess also enjoyed demonstrations from three of our trainee assistance dogs – Jack, Finn, and Buddy (our resident ITV This Morning Pup) – who showcased their developing skills as future autism assistance dogs. Buddy delighted everyone by presenting The Duchess with a thoughtful birthday gift: her very own Louis soft toy that she could take home!

Finally, to mark this special visit, our Chair of Trustees, Zoe Lattimer, expressed gratitude to The Duchess for her support and invited her to unveil a commemorative plaque at our Training Centre.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to The Duchess of Edinburgh for her genuine interest and support. Her visit not only highlights the importance of our mission but also brings awareness to the vital role assistance dogs play in enhancing the lives of autistic individuals.