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With the news that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are returning to the UK with their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, questions have been raised over their beloved dogs.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have two pets, a black labrador called Pula, which they adopted after their wedding in 2018, and Mamma Mia, a rescue beagle which joined them in 2022.

In January last year, Guy, a beagle which had been with the Duchess for ten years, passed away – and a video tribute shared by Meghan announcing the news to her fans showed just how ingrained the dogs are within family life.

Admitting she had cried 'too many tears to count', the mother-of-two thanked her pet for years of 'unconditional love', while photos showed Guy cuddling up with Meghan in bed, enjoying hugs with Harry and keeping the Duchess company as she cooked.

In other shots, little Archie, now seven, could even be heard speaking to Guy. The then five-year-old said 'he might fall' as the dog joined him and his mother in the backseat of a car that Harry was driving.

But it's unclear – despite their importance to the family – whether the dogs will be joining Meghan and Harry in the UK. The Duchess has already been separated from one of her pets due to a previous move.

When making the transatlantic move from Toronto to London in 2017, the former actress – then Harry's fiancée – had to make the heartbreaking decision to leave behind her labrador-shepherd cross Bogart, as the pet was thought to be too old to fly overseas.

When making the transatlantic move from Toronto to London in 2017, Meghan - then Harry's fiancée - had to make the heartbreaking decision to leave behind her Labrador-shepherd cross Bogart (pictured with Guy and Bogart)

Harry and Meghan are bringing the whole family back to the UK, with their children Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, already reportedly set to attend British school in September. The family pictured with Pula, Mamma Mia and Guy

The couple have two pets - a black Labrador called Pula, which they adopted after their wedding in 2018, and Mamma Mia (pictured), a rescue beagle which joined them in 2022

The Prince's communication secretary at the time said: 'Bogart is now living with friends.'

The Palace refused to speculate as to why Bogart was not brought to the UK and added the decision 'would have lots of complexity to it' while confirming Meghan remains 'fond of her dogs'.

To be able to come to the UK, Guy had to be subjected to several vaccinations and blood tests, as well as being microchipped.

Speaking in the couple's first interview following their engagement, Meghan told the BBC's Mishal Husain: 'I have two dogs that I've had for quite a long time, both my rescue pups.

'And one is now staying with very close friends and my other little guy is, yes he's in the UK, he's been here for a while. I think he's doing just fine.'

However, while it is assumed that Pula and Mamma Mia will also be making their way across the pond, nothing has been confirmed.

Meghan and Harry pictured with the late Guy

As well as vaccinations and microchips, there is also a very involved deworming process owners hoping to relocate their pets from the US to the UK must follow.

Crate requirements for transport are equally strict, and so is documentation.

It comes as King Charles and Prince William are holding a 'Balmoral summit' as the Royal Family gather to discuss Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's surprise return to Britain.

The Prince of Wales has been on a summer holiday at the Aberdeenshire estate with his wife Kate and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

They are joining Charles and Camilla and a series of other royals for the annual trip to the Highlands, following the monarch's arrival on Tuesday for his summer break.

Zara and Mike Tindall were spotted walking to Balmoral's gates on Tuesday with Peter Phillips and his new wife Harriet Sperling to watch the official welcoming ceremony.

The Tindalls' children Lena and Mia were also seen, along with Peter's children Isla and Savannah from his marriage to Autumn Kelly and Harriet's daughter Georgina.

The royals were at Balmoral when news broke publicly on Wednesday night that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were moving back to Britain after six years in the US.

The King was told of his youngest son's return just three days earlier on Sunday, while Harry's brother William was also informed in advance of the announcement.

But the news will have been a shock, given sources insist the topic was not raised or discussed when Charles and Camilla hosted the Sussexes at Highgrove in early July.

Other members of the inner royal circle would have also been surprised, given they are all said to have been unaware that the couple had been planning a return.