Prince William, Duchess Catherine, Prince George and Lupo
Britain's Queen Elizabeth banned the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's dog from spending Christmas with the royal family.
The monarch asked her grandson Prince William and his wife Duchess Catherine - who have six-month-old son Prince George together - to leave their beloved pet Lupo to stay behind at her parents' home rather than join in the festivities at the queen's Sandringham estate.
A source said: "The Queen made it clear that Lupo was not on the guest list. The duchess is especially fond of the puppy and was sad that he could not accompany them. He had to sit it out at her parents' home in Berkshire."
It is believed the queen made the decision to keep the peace, as new dogs have caused problems when visiting Sandringham in the past.
Last summer, Princess Beatrice's terrier Max was attacked by the queen's corgis, with the pooch coming close to losing an ear, and in 2003, another of the monarch's beloved pets had to be put down after being savaged by her daughter Princess Anne's bull terrier.
Dr Roger Mugford, the pet expert whose advice the queen has sought in the past, thinks it was sensible for Lupo to be left behind.
He told the Daily Telegraph newspaper: "Cocker spaniels are sociable by nature and good at getting along with other dogs, but the same isn't always true of the Queen's corgis.
"The commotion of Christmas - the large number of people, the unfamiliar faces and all the distractions - can make them unpredictable. Another dog coming into their territory, with all of that going on, isn't necessarily going to be welcomed by them."
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