James has spoken openly about how breeding and raising dogs helped him through periods of clinical depression. He told ITV in April 2026 that dogs played a crucial role in his emotional recovery and that he feels driven to give back to them.
Just days earlier, at a May 6 Buckingham Palace garden party, the Queen and other senior royals met Vegas, a 2-year-old cocker spaniel hearing dog. Princess Anne appeared charmed when the pup excitedly greeted the monarchs, and she kindly downplayed the dog’s playful digging on the lawn.