A recent birthday tribute shared by the Princess of Wales has delighted royal fans — and simultaneously ignited criticism from animal rights advocates.

The photo, posted to the official Instagram account of the Prince and Princess of Wales, showed Prince William seated in a sunny field with their family dog Orla and a litter of three adorable English Cocker Spaniel puppies. The image, released for William’s birthday, was widely seen as heartwarming and playful.

Kate captioned the image with a cheerful note: “Happy birthday! Love C, G, C, L, Orla and the puppies!”

Many fans responded with excitement and affection, leaving comments such as “My heart just exploded” and “What a joyful photo!”

But while the post charmed royal followers, it drew sharp criticism from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), who saw the moment quite differently.

Animal Welfare Concerns: “Staggeringly Out of Touch”

In a strongly worded statement, PETA’s Vice President Elisa Allen accused the couple of being “staggeringly out of touch” for allowing their dog to give birth rather than adopting from a shelter.

“There are countless puppies in shelters both in the UK and around the world who are waiting for loving homes,” Allen said. “To breed a litter amid an ongoing animal homelessness crisis sends the wrong message — especially from such high-profile figures.”

She went on to point out that King Charles III and Queen Camilla have chosen a different path by adopting rescue dogs rather than purchasing or breeding — a decision that PETA applauded.

A Royal History with Dogs

William and Kate welcomed their dog Orla into the family in 2020, following the loss of their previous dog Lupo, a black cocker spaniel originally gifted to them by Kate’s brother James Middleton. Lupo was a beloved part of the family until his unexpected passing.

Orla’s new litter is thought to have arrived in May. While it remains unclear how many of the puppies the royal couple will keep, some reports suggest they may keep only one.

A Contrast with King Charles and Queen Camilla

In contrast, King Charles and Queen Camilla recently adopted an 8-week-old Jack Russell terrier cross named Moley from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, a well-known rescue center. The adoption took place just months after the death of their previous rescue dog Beth.

“We’re pleased to confirm that Battersea has rehomed a Jack Russell puppy with Her Majesty The Queen,” a spokesperson from the organization told The Daily Mail. “She has been a longtime supporter of our work.”

No Public Response — Yet

As of now, Prince William and Princess Kate have not responded publicly to PETA’s criticism. A spokesperson declined to comment when approached by reporters.

While fans continue to coo over the royal pups, the moment has sparked a wider conversation about responsible pet ownership — even among the most famous families in the world.