A recent birthday tribute shared by the Princess of Wales has delighted royal fans — and simultaneously ignited criticism from animal rights advocates.

The photo, posted to the official Instagram account of the Prince and Princess of Wales, showed Prince William seated in a sunny field with their family dog Orla and a litter of three adorable English Cocker Spaniel puppies. The image, released for William’s birthday, was widely seen as heartwarming and playful.

Kate captioned the image with a cheerful note: “Happy birthday! Love C, G, C, L, Orla and the puppies!”

Many fans responded with excitement and affection, leaving comments such as “My heart just exploded” and “What a joyful photo!”

But while the post charmed royal followers, it drew sharp criticism from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), who saw the moment quite differently.

Animal Welfare Concerns: “Staggeringly Out of Touch”

In a strongly worded statement, PETA’s Vice President Elisa Allen accused the couple of being “staggeringly out of touch” for allowing their dog to give birth rather than adopting from a shelter.

“There are countless puppies in shelters both in the UK and around the world who are waiting for loving homes,” Allen said. “To breed a litter amid an ongoing animal homelessness crisis sends the wrong message — especially from such high-profile figures.”