Crikey, George! Could you buy me a nice little handbag dog next time?
Amal is smitten with St Bernard puppy Clooney gave her for birthday – but he’s already a real armful
THEY own several vast mansions in stunning locations around the world – and George and Amal Clooney are likely to be extragrateful for all that space, given the latest addition to their family.
The couple have just taken possession of a St Bernard puppy called Nelson, said to have been a surprise 46th birthday present from the actor to his wife.
The cute pup already appeared to be more than a handful for civil rights lawyer Amal as the couple took him for a walk through the picturesque village streets of Cotignac in the South of France.
She struggled to pick him up, and then it took both her arms to cradle him – although she should enjoy that while she can, since St Bernards can grow to be as heavy as 13 stone.
Wearing a belted suede minidress and black boots, Amal laughed as the pup bounded around the winding medieval streets.
She and George, 62, who was dressed down in jeans and a navy polo shirt, visited an art gallery and were joined by friends for lunch on the terrace of the gourmet Picotte restaurant.
There is speculation that the Clooneys have now moved permanently to the Cote d’Azur and are no longer spending time at their £10million Thameside mansion in Sonning, Berkshire.
The couple, along with their sixyear-old twins Ella and Alexander, are said to have been living at the 18th Century Domaine du Canadel for several months. And they have not been seen at the Grade IIlisted property in the UK – which they bought in 2014 and spent millions renovating – for two years, according to locals.
Their idyllic French estate includes a 25-acre vineyard, a pool, tennis court, boules pitch, olive grove and ornamental lake.
It is also just a 25-minute drive from Chateau Miraval, the winery which George’s close friend and fellow actor Brad Pitt bought with Angelina Jolie while they were still married. She has since secretly sold her share to a Russian vodka oligarch, prompting an ongoing and bitter legal battle as to who has the controlling interest.
The Clooneys, who married in Venice six years ago, also have a luxurious home on the banks of Lake Como in Italy.
George bought Villa Oleandra from the Heinz family in 2002 and spends most summers at the property, which boasts a basketball court, movie theatre and a garage full of vintage motorbikes.
It has hosted a string of stars, including Jennifer Aniston and Matt Damon, as well as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Parts of Clooney’s film Ocean’s Twelve were also shot there. There had been reports Clooney was set to sell it, which he has insisted are not true.
Nelson is not the first St Bernard the family have owned. Four years ago, George brought puppy, Rosie, named after his late aunt, actress and singer Rosemary Clooney.
He is also known for rescuing animals, who end up travelling the world with him. He previously owned cocker spaniel Einstein, who died in 2017, and the couple have since rescued basset hound Millie and Louie, another spaniel.
Have couple abandoned UK for the Cote d’Azur?