Duke and Duchess of Sussex adopt new rescue dog

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have adopted a new rescue dog.

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex have taken in a seven-year-old beagle named Momma Mia who was rescued from a US breeding centre owned by an animal research company last month and the couple have been praised for opting for an older dog rather than a puppy.

Animal rights attorney Shannon Keith who helps run the Beagle Freedom Project told People.com: “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are the most loving, sensitive and caring adopters I have ever met! We were so honoured that they have been supporting Beagle Freedom Project and chose to adopt a dog who has been abused.

“They made a point to adopt a rescue named Mia, who most would overlook because she is older, has health issues and is traumatised by her past. I was so impressed by their commitment to animal welfare! They have been following up letting us know how well Momma Mia is doing in her new, amazing home!”

Shannon went on to reveal she got a personal phone call from Meghan asking about adopting a beagle – but she mistook her for another actress – Megan Fox – and it took her half an hour to realise the mistake.

She told the Los Angeles Times: “The duchess called me personally. She calls on my cell with no Caller ID and says, ‘Hey Shannon, this is Meghan’. We talked for 30 minutes, and I thought, ‘Is this Megan Fox?'”

She went on to reveal Meghan visited the Beagle Freedom Project rescue centre in the San Fernando Valley, California and was determined to give a home to the older dog rather than her puppies, adding: “The duchess is holding Mia and was like, ‘We’re adopting her’. She was like ‘No, we don’t want a Christmas puppy … We want ones we can help who are older’.”

The Duchess previously adopted another Beagle named Guy back in 2015 after he was taken in by a rescue centre called A Dog’s Dream Rescue.