St. David's Day: Prince and Princess of Wales Visit The Welsh Guards in Windsor

William and Catherine, the Prince and Princess of Wales visited the first Battalion of the Welsh Guards stationed at Combermere Barracks in Windsor to attend the St David's Day Parade this morning, March 1, 2023.

Prince William is the current regiment's Colonel in Chief, taking over the role from his father, now King Charles III, in December 2022 in connection to his new role as the Prince of Wales. Prince William has the rank of Major in the Welsh Guard regiment.

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was the longest-serving Colonel in Chief of the Welsh Guards, taking over the role in 1953 before handing it over to his eldest son, Prince Charles, in 1975. 

Catherine was amused with the somersault performance of a young boy

The Prince of Wales

The Prince of Wales is the Colonel of the Welsh Guards Regiment

During the parade, Prince William presented leeks to the Officers and Guardsmen who turned to issue it along the ranks, a traditional part of the St David’s Day Parade. 

But unlike St. Patrick's Day in Northern Ireland, St. David's Day is not a bank holiday in Wales and the United Kingdom.

The Prince and Princess of Wales with the Welsh Guards

Photo by Chris Jackson

The Welsh Guards is part of the Guards Division and one of the Foot Guards regiments of the British Army. It was founded in 1915 as a single-battalion regiment, during the First World War, by the Royal Warrant of King George V. 

The Prince and Princess of Wales with the Welsh Guards. Photo: Chris Jackson

Speaking about his new role, Prince William said: "I’m sorry that my father couldn’t be here with us here today to say farewell, but I know he would talk of his fierce pride and admiration for you all, and of his own sadness to be moving on from an appointment he held so dear since 1975."

The parade concluded with a march-past where Prince William took the Royal Salute.

 A leek brooch was pinned on Catherine's breast. Photo; Chris Jackson

Photo credit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Saint David's Day in Wales

Saint David's Day is the Feast Day in Wales, United Kingdom, in honor of Saint David, the patron saint of Wales. It is traditionally observed every first day of March, the date of Saint David's death in 589 AD.

Kate was amused watching the somersault performance by a young boy

Photo credit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

The feast has been regularly celebrated since the canonization of David in the 12th century, by Pope Callixtus II. Traditional festivities include wearing daffodils and leeks, recognized symbols of Wales and Saint David, respectively, eating traditional Welsh food including cawl and Welsh rarebit, and women wearing traditional Welsh dress. 

An increasing number of cities and towns across Wales including Cardiff, Swansea, and Aberystwyth also put on parades throughout the day.

Catherine the Princess of Wales fashion on St. David's Day in Windsor

For her engagement of the day, Catherine the Princess of Wales wore a striking double-breasted red coat from Alexander McQueen, a Juliette Botterill hat. a pair of black boots from Gianvito Rossi, black gloves, and a Mulberry bag. She accessorized her elegant attire with a leek brooch. 

Catherine the Princess of Wales fashion on St. David's Day in Windsor

On February 28, 2023, Prince William and Catherine visited South Wales ahead of St. David's Day to meet local communities and organizations in connection to their advocacies regarding mental health awareness.