The Queen’s Corgi (2019) Plot Summary Explained

Rex was exiled after he accidentally bit President Trump during a state dinner at Buckingham Palace. While trying to evade mating with Mitzi, the President's dog, Rex chased her into the dining hall and bit Trump on the leg. The incident caused a royal scandal and enraged the Queen, leading her to strip Rex of his status and banish him from the palace.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, the Queen had selected Rex as the candidate to mate with Mitzi, which Rex clearly resented, setting up the conflict that led to the biting incident.

• rex exile buckingham palace trump bite

Charlie, another of the Queen's corgis, was jealous of Rex's position as the favorite. Despite consoling Rex after his disgrace, Charlie plotted against him by disposing of his collar and luring him to a stream with the false claim that the Pope was looking for dogs. Charlie's intent was to drown Rex so he could take over the title of Top Dog.

Foreshadowing: Charlie had previously expressed jealousy over Rex's standing, and his consolation after the incident was revealed to be a scheme.

• charlie rex drowning jealousy top dog

After Charlie's attempted drowning, Rex was rescued by a kind man who found him near the stream and took him to a dog shelter. At first, Rex's pampered royal manners alienated the other dogs, but he gradually adapted and made friends.

Foreshadowing: Charlie disposed of Rex's collar to prevent any means of identifying him, ensuring Rex would have no way to return to the palace.

• rex dog shelter rescue buckingham palace

Charlie set fire to a room in the palace where he had trapped Rex and Wanda. While trying to prevent Rex from reclaiming his position as Top Dog, Charlie locked them in a private room and started the fire. Wanda escaped and rallied the other dogs to rescue Rex from the burning room.

Foreshadowing: Charlie had already convinced the Queen that Rex was killed by foxes, and he was determined to eliminate Rex physically to maintain his power.

• charlie fire palace rex wanda trapped

Charlie told the Queen that Rex was killed by foxes, making her believe her favorite corgi was truly gone. This allowed Charlie to position himself as the new Top Dog and prevent Rex from ever reclaiming his former status upon returning.

Foreshadowing: This deception was part of Charlie's larger plot to eliminate Rex entirely and take over the palace hierarchy.

• charlie queen rex dead foxes deception

After the Queen offered to restore Rex to his position as Top Dog, he declined because he had grown to value his relationship with Wanda and his new friends from the shelter more than royal status. Rex chose love and loyalty to his chosen family over power and position.

Foreshadowing: During his time at the shelter, Rex fell in love with Wanda and learned what true loyalty and companionship meant, fundamentally changing his priorities.

• rex top dog wanda love choice palace

Charlie became Top Dog after deceiving the Queen about Rex's death, but his schemes backfired. When the truth came out, Charlie was forced to mate with Mitzi and was sent to live in America with the President and First Lady, essentially in exile.

Foreshadowing: Charlie's ruthless pursuit of power and his attempts to eliminate Rex ultimately led to his own downfall and removal from the palace.

• charlie top dog mitzi america exile

At the shelter, Rex faced opposition from Tyson, a former fighting dog who ran the kennel and also loved Wanda. Rex convinced the other dogs to unite against Tyson's dominance, and together they stood up to him, allowing Rex to gain respect and leadership among the shelter dogs.

Foreshadowing: Rex's confidence and royal bearing initially alienated him, but his willingness to stand up for others earned him loyalty.

• rex tyson shelter dogs leader wanda

After Rex was exiled and Charlie took over as Top Dog, the Queen arranged for Mitzi to be paired with the new Top Dog. Since Charlie held the position, he was forced to mate with Mitzi as part of the diplomatic arrangement between the royal dogs and the President's dog.

Foreshadowing: The original mating proposal between Mitzi and Rex was the catalyst for the entire conflict, and the pairing was always intended for the palace's top dog.

• mitzi charlie mating top dog president

Rex learned that true loyalty and love are more important than status and privilege. His exile forced him to humble himself, make genuine friends, and discover that happiness comes from meaningful relationships rather than royal titles.

Foreshadowing: Rex's arrogance was established early in the film as his defining flaw, and his journey required him to lose everything to appreciate what truly matters.

• rex growth loyalty love humility shelter