Prince William and Princess Kate were criticised by animal rights activists because their beloved cocker Spaniel, Orla, had puppies. The Prince and Princess of Wales recently confirmed their pooch gave birth to a litter after they released a new picture of William to mark his 43rd birthday last Saturday.

The heir to the throne was seen being surrounded by three new puppies and his dog, Orla. The pooch gave birth to four puppies last month and the photograph was taken by the Princess of Wales in Windsor on a sunny day earlier in June.

But while the photograph melted hearts across the world, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) has attacked the royal couple for being "staggeringly out of touch" and "churning out a litter" when animal shelters worldwide are "overflowing with puppies desperate for a second chance at a longing home".

The charity urged William and Kate to take a leaf out of King Charles and Queen Camilla's book, who recently adopted a new rescue puppy, Moley, from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.

Peta's vice-president of programmes, Elisa Allen, said in a statement: "The Prince and Princess of Wales should know that shelters here and worldwide are overflowing with puppies desperate for a second chance at a loving home, and that churning out a litter in the midst of this animal homelessness crisis is staggeringly out of touch.

"If William is going to lead, he might well take a lesson from King Charles and Queen Camilla, who have chosen to adopt from a shelter rather than contribute to the problem."

Kensington Palace has been contacted for comment.

William's new photo was shared on social media by Kensington Palace with the caption: "Happy birthday! Love C, G, C, L, Orla and the puppies!"

The Prince and Princess of Wales have had Orla since 2020, after their first dog together, Lupo, a cocker spaniel-which they were given as a wedding present from Kate's brother James Middleton-died unexpectedly.

According to reports, the royal couple plan on keeping one of the puppies, much to Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis's delight.

Meanwhile, conservative MP Andrew Rosindell has joined campaigners in calling for the Charity Commission to revoke the charitable status of Peta.

The challenge to Peta's charitable status has been made in a letter to the CEO of the Charity Commission from Peta Watch, which asserts that "the extremist group" does not meet the requirements for a UK-based charity as it does not run any animal shelters or rescue centres.

They accuse the charity of operating "permanently as a political campaign organisation, organising protests, demonstrations and stunts, without providing any evidence of undertaking charitable activities".

Mr Rosindell, who was chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Zoos and Aquariums Group for a decade, said: "I have major concerns over the charitable status of Peta here in the UK and would urge the Charity Commission to investigate them as a matter of urgency.

"It is completely wrong that an extreme organisation like Peta, which is blatantly political in its activities, is given the tax advantages afforded to a charity while failing to use the donations it receives to help animals in need.

"Worse still, Peta has gleefully attacked other genuine animal welfare charities, such as the RSPCA. Only genuine charities should have charitable status."