James Middleton
James Middleton's Instagram is now public. Pictured: Middleton starts the London to Brighton Bike Ride with his British Heart Foundation Team at Clapham Common on June 21, 2015 in London, England. Getty Images/Stuart C. Wilson

KEY POINTS

  • James Middleton wanted to pay tribute to the late Queen by naming his new dog "Bertie," which was the nickname of King George VI
  • He gave Bertie to Guide Dogs U.K. in hopes that he would become a loyal companion to the visually impaired
  • Queen Elizabeth II was known for being an animal lover and owned a lot of corgis and horses

Kate Middleton's brother paid a touching tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II by giving one of his new golden retriever puppies a royal moniker.

After the late monarch's passing on Sept. 8, James Middleton, 35, decided to honor her by naming his new dog "Bertie," the family nickname for Queen Elizabeth's father, King George VI, whose first name was Albert.

"In light of recent events, I wanted a name that is a touching tribute to the late Queen," the younger brother of the Princess of Wales told Hello! magazine in an exclusive interview.

The Ella & Co. founder chose the name in the hopes that it will stand the puppy, who was born in August to the entrepreneur's dog Mabel, in good stead as he trains to become a guide dog.

"It was incredible that the Queen dedicated her life to service, and in many ways Bertie the dog will be dedicating his life to service too," the entrepreneur told the magazine.

James, who married French financial analyst Alizée Thevenet in September last year, opted to give Bertie to Guide Dogs U.K., a charity for blind and partially-sighted people, so that he could eventually become a loyal companion to someone in need.

He reportedly handed the pup over upon his visit to the foundation's National Centre near Leamington Spa in England.

James also expressed his thoughts about the longest-reigning British monarch's state funeral last week. The Queen was buried alongside her late husband, Prince Philip, at the King George VI Memorial Chapel at Windsor Castle on Sept. 19.

"I was extremely moved by the events on Monday [Sept. 19], which I'm still taken aback by," he shared. "It is extraordinary to see how many people's lives Her Majesty touched, not just in our country, but in the Commonwealth and around the world. My eyes have been opened even wider to that."

Queen Elizabeth was known to be an animal lover and owned a number of corgis and horses throughout her life, People reported.

On the day of her funeral, the late monarch's two corgis, Muick and Sandy, stood with royal aides to welcome her coffin to Windsor Castle before the Queen was interred in King George VI Memorial Chapel.

The Queen's two Pembroke Welsh corgis are now in the care of her second son Prince Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah, the Duchess of York.

"The corgis will return to live at Royal Lodge with the Duke and Duchess. It was the Duchess who found the puppies, which were gifted to Her Majesty by the Duke," an unnamed source close to Prince Andrew previously confirmed to People.

James Middleton, Pippa Middleton
Pictured: Siblings James Middleton and Pippa Middleton sit together in the Royal Box on Centre Court on day four of the 2014 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on June 26, 2014. Getty Images/Gyln Kirk/AFP