Princess Kate on St Patrick’s Day (Image: Karwai Tang/WireImage)
has regiment in London and today also marks Princess Kate’s second St Patrick’s Day as Colonel of the Irish Guards, a role she took on in 2023. It was a particularly poignant celebration this year as the regiment is also marking its 125th anniversary.
The Princess was seen cheekily before presenting medals to soldiers who had recently returned from Iraq. Kate, , visited the Irish Guards at Wellington Barracks for the traditional celebration which is typically held at Mons Barracks in Aldershot.
Title updates and changes in regimental responsibilities took place in the early days of – with the biggest shifts involving and the Princess of Wales.
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Kate during the Irish Guard’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade (Image: Karwai Tang/WireImage)
Both were handed their own Colonelcies by The King. Queen Camilla had taken up the mantle of the Colonel of the Grenadier Guards and Kate stepped into ‘s shoes as Colonel of the Irish Guards.
The Queen’s acceptance of ‘s former role as the Colonel of the Grenadier Guards generally followed tradition – as the position is typically held by the monarch’s consort.
, however, was stripped of this role and his military associations when he stepped back as a working royal following his infamous Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis involving his association with the late convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein.
The Duke of York, who previously served in the Falklands War, took over the role of Colonel from his father, Prince Philip, in 2017. However, a source revealed to : “There have been many nails in the Duke of York’s coffin and any deeply-desired wish to return to public duty but this is, without doubt, the final of final nails.”
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Kate took on her new role in 2023 (Image: Ray Tang/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Kate attended St. Patrick’s Day for the first time as Colonel in 2023, but she was accompanied by William. They both gave speeches at the event, with attending as the outgoing Colonel and Princess Kate appearing as the incoming Colonel.
Even before becoming the Colonel, and once even stepped in for her husband at the St. Patrick’s Day parade in 2012.
Last year, Kate missed the Guards’ celebrations after being diagnosed with cancer, but the princess, long service and good conduct medals to soldiers.
She also presented the traditional sprigs of shamrock to officers and guardsmen at Wellington Barracks in London.