People.com Lifestyle Pets PHOTOS: Prince William and Kate's Original Royal Baby: Lupo! See how the couple's true firstborn – their adorable cocker spaniel – has prepared them for parenthood By People Staff Updated on January 20, 2022 01:50 PM Share Tweet Pin Email 01 of 10 OH, BABY! Anwar Hussein/WireImage Practice makes perfect? Before she welcomed her son with on July 22, kept her hands full with pup Lupo. The couple was first photographed with the cocker spaniel in January of 2012, and he’s already had plenty of experience around little ones, including 2½-year-old Savannah Phillips (daughter of Will’s cousin, Peter). 02 of 10 BEACH BUDDY Bauer-Griffin Just a few months after the royals welcome the little dog into their lives, he develops a taste for the finer things, like leisurely strolls on beautiful beaches. 03 of 10 SAND DUDE Bauer-Griffin Lupo comes from a litter “with a close family connection,” according to a palace source. More importantly, it seems the pup has quickly become a part of the royal family. 04 of 10 KENSINGTON CANINE Bauer-Griffin There’s so much to sniff and do! Lupo puts his nose to the ground during a walk through Kensington Gardens. Think he’ll show the royal baby around? 05 of 10 MOMMY & ME Starmax While hanging out at a charity polo match, the affectionate pooch reaches up for a kiss from Kate, who bends down to help her still-small puppy. 06 of 10 STRONG 'WILL'-ED Indigo/Getty “Lupo seemed to get as much attention from the people at the presentation as William and Harry,” said one observer at the polo match – and some of that attention is from William himself. 07 of 10 DASHING DUO Indigo/Getty , not one to be left out, shares a private nuzzle with Lupo (a.k.a. the luckiest dog in the world). 08 of 10 LEAD THE WAY Rex USA He’s free to go off-leash sometimes, but Lupo is still learning the ropes – with his leash on. 09 of 10 GETTING TO NOSE YOU UK Press/Abaca Being so closely linked to the senior royals makes Lupo impervious to lowbrow sniffing from other dogs. 10 of 10 JUMP FOR JOY UK Press/Abaca If you were Lupo, wouldn’t you be skipping, too? He’s a big brother to a baby boy!