Royals The Duchess and the Dog! Kate Middleton Wins Over Herbie the School Dog While Visiting Students Kate and Prince William are dog parents to English Cocker Spaniel named Lupo By Stephanie Petit Stephanie Petit Stephanie Petit is a Royals Writer and Reporter at PEOPLE. People Editorial Guidelines Published on February 5, 2019 08:45 AM Share Tweet Pin Email Kate Middleton‘s charm is lost on nobody – and no animal! The 37-year-old royal received a warm welcome to London’s Lavender Primary School on Tuesday, complete with singing school children. But it was a furry friend who really stole the show. Kate was greeted by Herbie, a cockapoo who serves as the school dog. She knelt down to give him a pat, only for the pooch to put his paws on her arms to get a closer sniff. But Kate didn’t seem to mind, smiling and chatting with his student handler as Herbie poked his nose around her signature bouncy blowout. Kate’s visit to the school comes in support of Children’s Mental Health Week, run by one of her charities, Place2Be. Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage? Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images Kate and Prince William are dog parents to English Cocker Spaniel named Lupo. While the royal couple were helping to lift the spirits of Royal Air Force families separated from their loved ones at a Christmas party at Kensington Palace in December, they revealed how their pup helped them through a difficult time while William was serving as a helicopter pilot. “When Prince William was away in the Falkland Islands, he went for dinner with some good friends of ours in the Air Force, and he was saying how difficult it was for Kate because he was leaving for six weeks. It was when they’d just got the Spaniel to help her with the time apart,” party goer Natalie Bressani said. “She appreciates what wives and families go through.” Lupo has previously starred in a number of family photos, including an early photo of baby Prince George with his parents. On George’s third birthday, the royals released four too-cute photos of the chubby-cheeked prince standing on a swing, walking in the garden and playing with the family pet. Prince George and family dog Lupo. Matt Porteous/PA Wire The royals are known animal lovers, from Queen Elizabeth’s famous corgis to her daughter Princess Anne’s special bond with horses. Meghan Markle had two rescue pups at her home in Toronto. Guy relocated with her across the pond while the other, Bogart, was gifted to friends – and she and Harry also recently added another pup to the family. During her recent visit to Mayhew, an animal charity announced as one of her royal patronages, the Duchess of Sussex adorably held a Jack Russell Terrier named Minnie. “We can’t take another dog before the baby as our hands are too full!” the royal mom-to-be, 37, said. Meghan Markle. Eddie Mulholland - WPA Pool/Getty Press Association via AP Images Harry, 34, has also been known to pay special attention to dogs, giving them rubs during walkabouts.