Queen's James Bond-Costarring, Olympics Scene-Stealing Corgi Dies

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by Gina Serpe | Mon., Sep. 10, 2012 12:54 PM

Youtube, Tim Graham/Getty Images

Time to say goodbye to ~~man's~~ monarch's best friend.

Almost nothing—not her fascinators, not her love of hoodies and Range Rovers, and not even those pearl-and-pastel dress suit combos of which she's so fond—are more emblematic of Queen Elizabeth II than her beloved corgis.

And sadly, two of the queen's loyal companions have died.

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It's unclear when or how the pampered pooches—one of whom, Monty, did indeed star alongside the queen in the Daniel Craig-starring James Bond sketch featured during the opening ceremony of the London Olympics—passed away (it was believed to be earlier this summer), though the deaths were reportedly separate and unconnected incidents. But Buckingham Palace nevertheless confirmed the sad news Sunday.

In addition to the purebred corgi Monty—who reportedly died of old age, was presumed to be about 13 years old and previously belonged to the Queen Mother—the queen also had to say goodbye to another four-legged friend this summer, Cider, a dachshund-corgi (or dorgi) crossbreed.

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Both pets reportedly died during the queen's stay at Balmoral and were subsequently believed to have been buried on the grounds in the royal pet cemetery (yes, that exists), where both will likely receive headstones.

That leaves two corgis and two dorgis remaining in the house of Windsor: Willow and Holly, and Candy and Vulcan, respectively.

Check out more stars' best friends in our Very Important Pets gallery