Sweet reason Prince William and Kate Middleton got their dog after they married

Prince William and Kate Middleton’s pet spaniel was an adorable addition to the family in 2012.

The gorgeous black pup, called Lupo, has gone on to become rather famous, inspiring a spoof Twitter account and even being immortalised in children’s books.

But it turns out the couple got the dog for a very specific reason, and it’s really sweet.

Lupo joined the royal family to help Kate cope with all the time apart she was spending from Will in the early months of their marriage.

According to OK magazine, Kate addressed the guests at their Christmas party last week, saying she knows how it feels to have a husband working away.

"As someone whose husband has served, I know how hard it feels when a loved one leaves home for the job they trained for," she said.

"When William served in the Falklands or with Search and Rescue, I remember how it felt. But I can’t imagine how it feels when your loved ones are away on active service."

It was also revealed at the event that this was the reason the couple got their dog Lupo in 2012, shortly after marrying in 2011.

Natalie Bressani, who had been chatting with the Duke and Duchess, said to People: "When Prince William was away in the Falklands, he went for dinner with good friends of ours in the Air Force and said how difficult it was for Kate because he was leaving for six weeks.

"It was just when they got their spaniel to help her with the time apart."

Kate’s brother James Middleton had previously revealed in 2014 that he got the adorable spaniel for the couple, but it wasn’t clear that it was to help Kate deal with Will’s absense.

Speaking to Good Morning America at the time, he said when asked whether it was a wedding gift: "My little treat for them was to give them a puppy.

"Lupo was their gift so yes."