Ratan Tata’s dog once made him skip a royal meeting with King Charles. Here’s why

Ratan Tata, the chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons who died at the age of 86 in Mumbai on October 9, once skipped the royal meeting with King Charles and chose to prioritise his sick dog.

Tata was supposed to be receiving a lifetime achievement award for his philanthropic work at Buckingham Palace from Prince Charles (now King Charles III) in 2018. 

However, the industrialist, who had earlier agreed to attend the event, changed his plans last minute after finding out that one of his beloved dogs was extremely unwell.

Speaking about the incident in a video, actor and columnist Suhel Seth said that when he reached London, he found that there were 11 missed calls from Ratan Tata himself.

When he called back, Tata himself told him, “Tango and Tito, his dogs, one of them had fallen terribly ill. I can’t leave him and come.”

Seth said that he tried to convince Tata to attend the event, however, the industrialist did not change his decision.

Seth also shared a video in which  Prince Charles appreciated Tata’s ideals and priorities.

“That’s a man. That’s the man Ratan is. That’s why the house of Tata is what it is. That’s why it’s on stable course,” Seth quoted Prince Charles as saying.

Ratan Tata love for dogs was very well known and it was also visible in his philanthropic works. 

Watch: Ratan Tata: Man Who Transformed The Tata Group Into A Global PowerHouse

Under his guidance, Tata Trusts’ Small Animal Hospital in Mumbai’s Mahalaxmi was also inaugurated in June 2024.

His pet dog Tito had died a few years back. 

He was admitted to Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital because of his age-related ailments and was moved to the ICU later where he breathed his last. 

In 1991, Tata took over as Tata Group’s chairman and looked after the conglomerate created by his great-grandfather. 

Tata was also known for his philanthropic activities and humility. His visionary leadership and business acumen were widely respected by the entire industry and even world leaders.

(With inputs from agencies)