Kate Middleton celebrates St. Patrick’s with Irish guards ahead of huge new role

Prince William and Kate Middleton celebrated St Patrick’s Day with the Irish Guards on Friday.

Prince William, outgoing Colonel of the Irish Guards, was joined by Kate, incoming Colonel, at the St Patrick’s Day Parade in Aldershot on 17 March.

It marks Kate’s first time attending the parade as Colonel of the regiment, having recently visited the 1st Battalion Irish Guards on Salisbury Plain on 8 March.

Kate, 41, presented the traditional sprigs of shamrock to the officers and guardsmen, who in turn issued it along the ranks, as well as to the Irish wolfhound regimental mascot.

The parade concluded with a royal salute and march-past, where Kate took the salute as the new Colonel.


After the parade, Kate and William, 40, met the Irish Guards Association, which is made up of past members of the Irish Guards.

The mum-of-three was then invited to inspect the front rank while William inspected the second rank. The visit is expected to conclude with a toast to the Royal couple.

The Princess of Wales looked incredible in a long turquoise dress which she paired with a matching belt and hat.

She accessorised with a gold brooch in the shape of a shamrock and small diamond earrings.


Kate and William's St Patrick's Day celebrations come after Kate visited Wiltshire on 8 March to meet members of the 1st Battalion Irish Guards.

She could be seen wearing a full military uniform and a wooly hat as she battled the snowy elements during her visit, which saw her take part in a training session.

During the training, Kate learned how to deliver care to injured soldiers during a casualty simulation exercise. Kate also heard first-hand about the work that the Irish Guards are carrying out on the Salisbury Plain training area.

The princess met guardsmen who have been recently deployed on security force assistance tasks across east Africa in which they train and assist foreign forces. This included training park rangers on counter-poaching operations.

Following this, Kate watched a medical training and casualty exercise, and the visit concluded with the princess viewing a demonstration of the weapon systems used by the Irish Guards.

Kate's visit to the troops marked her first since taking over as Royal Colonel from her husband William. She received the honorary appointment last year.

King Charles, as monarch, is the Colonel in Chief of the regiment.

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