Express & Star

Princess of Wales to make solo St Patrick’s Day visit to Irish Guards

Kate, who is colonel of the regiment, missed the Guards’ celebrations last year after being diagnosed with cancer.

By contributor Laura Elston, PA Court Reporter
Published
The Princess of Wales holding a glass of Guinness while visiting the Irish Guards
The Princess of Wales last marked St Patrick’s Day with the Irish Guards in 2023 (PA)

The Princess of Wales will attend the Irish Guards’ St Patrick’s Day parade in a solo engagement on Monday.

Kate, who is colonel of the regiment, missed the Guards’ celebrations last year after being diagnosed with cancer.

The princess, who is gradually returning to public duties, will award long service and good conduct medals to soldiers and present the traditional sprigs of shamrock to officers and guardsmen at Wellington Barracks in London on Monday.

Also present will be the Irish wolfhound regimental mascot.

The Princess of Wales turns her head to look at the camera as the Prince of Wales and soldiers look straight ahead during their visit to the 1st Battalion Irish Guards for the St Patrick’s Day Parade at Mons Barracks in Aldershot in 2023
The Prince and Princess of Wales during their visit to the 1st Battalion Irish Guards in Aldershot in 2023 (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Kate will take the salute as colonel during a march-past and meet Irish Guards veterans as well as junior cadets from Northern Ireland known as Mini Micks.

The princess will also spend time in the junior ranks’ dining hall, where senior guardsman will propose a toast in her honour, and gather with families in the sergeants’ mess.

Irish Guards mascot, Irish Wolfhound, Seamus, by the feet of his handler at Mons Barracks on St Patrick’s Day in 2024
Irish Guards mascot, Irish wolfhound Seamus, by the feet of his handler at Mons Barracks on St Patrick’s Day last year (Yui Mok/PA)

In 2023, Kate visited the Irish Guards on St Patrick’s Day with the Prince of Wales at Mons Barracks in Aldershot, Hampshire, after taking over the role of colonel from William.

Last year, the guardsman gave three cheers for their absent colonel while the princess was away from public duties after abdominal surgery.