Meet Jagger, the New Royal Pup for Dierendag
Categories: Latest News,News from the Netherlands
If Dierendag is new to you, it’s World Animal Day on October 4, a feel-good moment the Dutch genuinely embrace. This year, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima marked the day by introducing Jagger, a black Labrador puppy, in a garden photo shoot by the King, which was shared by the Royal Information Service from Huis ten Bosch in The Hague.
Jagger isn’t the palace’s only four-legged resident. He joins Mambo, the family’s white poodle, and Luna, another black Lab. The household didn’t share how long Jagger’s been around, only that he’s the newest addition. Luna, like Jagger, is a black Labrador and the daughter of Nala, who passed away in the spring of 2025, while Skipper died during the pandemic. The snapshot underscores what many in the Netherlands already know: this is a dog family.
For newcomers wondering about pronunciation, ‘hond‘ is dog, ‘pup‘ is puppy, and ‘Dierendag‘ sounds like ‘DEER-en-dakh’. If you want to blend in, wish friends a fijne Dierendag and share a pet photo of your own.
A quick royal timeline: Mambo arrived in 2021 and was also introduced on Dierendag. Since then, he’s become a regular presence and now seems to have a partner in crime.
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Beyond the cuteness, the reveal is quintessentially Dutch. No pomp, no press conference, just a warm photo and a friendly caption. Jagger may be tiny, but he already fits the national vibe of calm, social, and always ready for a long walk in the park. Welkom Jagger, veel wandelplezier.