St. Patrick's Day: Prince and Princess of Wales Attend Parade with the Irish Guards

Today is St. Patrick's day in the United Kingdom. St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. To mark the feast day, the Prince and Princess of Wales joined the 1st Battalion of the Irish Guards in Aldershot, London for the parade.

This year's St. Patrick's day is special to Catherine as she takes the new role of Colonel-in-Chief of the Irish Guards regiment, her first Army role. 

The Prince and Princess Wales at St. Patrick's day parade © Chris Jackson 

The Prince and Princess Wales at St. Patrick's day parade © Chris Jackson 

She was appointed by King Charles III in December 2022 to take over the role from her husband, Prince William. The Prince of Wales was appointed by his father to become Colonel in Chief of the Welsh Guards regiment, a role previously held by King Charles III. 

The Princess of Wales presented shamrock to soldiers © Chris Jackson 

The special event also served as a handover for the Prince and Princess of Wales. They both gave speeches, with Prince William delivering a farewell speech.

The Prince of Wales said, "Whilst I am extremely happy to be here celebrating St. Patrick's Day with you once again, I'm incredibly sad to be giving this speech, as it really does mean my time as your Colonel has come to an end. It has been one of the great honors of my life to hold that title. I'm proud of everything it stands for – just as I'm immensely proud of every single one of you".

The Prince of Wales, outgoing Colonel in Chief of the Irish Guards © Chris Jackson 

He continued, "I may be stepping aside, but in Colonel Catherine, you have a committed, focused, and already incredibly loyal 11th Colonel."

Catherine is the new Colonel-in-Chief of the Irish Guards regiment © Chris Jackson 

Catherine then delivered her speech, "I really couldn't be prouder to stand in front of you here today. It really is a true honor to be your Colonel. I am here to listen to you, to support you, and to champion you in all you do – this is a responsibility I do not take lightly."

Kate wore an elegant Catherine Walker coat dress

"I look forward to spending more time with you and your families, seeing your commitment to duty and service in all you do. 

"Before I close, however, I want to thank Colonel William. He has always talked about his fierce pride for this Regiment. I know he will continue to support us all in the work we do. Finally, I would like to wish you all, a very happy St. Patrick's Day".

"The day was bitterly cold, and while displaying your skills to yet another visitor was probably the last thing any of you wanted to do, all I saw was enthusiasm, pride, and incredible dedication," she said. "I was hugely impressed with your insistence that nothing is as bad as it seems, and — most of all — your boundless, irreverent, glorious sense of humor."

The Prince and Princess of Wales
©Chris Jackson 

Prince William delivered a farewell speech © Chris Jackson 

Catherine, the Princess of Wales then took part in the traditional distribution of shamrock sprigs, which the guards pin to their tunics. 

Also getting a sprig of the Irish bloom was the regimental mascot, Irish wolfhound Turlough Mor who is known as Seamus.

Kate gave the regimental mascot, Irish wolfhound named Seamus, sprigs of shamrock ©Chris Jackson 

The regimental mascot, Irish wolfhound, Seamus

Handing the clover to the Irish Guards has been carried out on St Patrick's Day by female members of the royal family since 1901, when Queen Alexandra began the tradition. 

The custom was continued by the Queen Mother until her death in 2002. Her granddaughter, Princess Anne, the Princess Royal took over the role until 2011.

In 2012, the duty fell to Catherine to carry on the tradition of handing out shamrock as her husband, then the Duke of Cambridge, was the royal colonel of the Irish Guards. 

Kate stuns in a Turquoise apparel 

© Chris Jackson 

For her special appearance and to celebrate her first Army role, Kate wore a delicate gold shamrock brooch by Cartier, loaned by the Irish Guards regiment. She also rocked an elegant Catherine Walker turquoise coat dress, Jane Taylor Millinery Turquoise hat, and a pair of Gianvito Rossi turquoise pumps.

History of the Irish Guards

The Irish Guards – known throughout the Army as ‘The Micks’ –  was formed on April 1, 1900 by Queen Victoria in recognition of the many acts of courage and bravery performed by the Irish regiments during the Second Boer War.

It is an Irish Regiment which has proven its loyalty and grit on many tough operations. It's soldiers have the privilege of guarding the Royal Family. They recruit from the island of Ireland, United Kingdom and beyond.

St. Patrick’s Day is the traditional celebration of the Irish Guards. On this day each year members of the regiment are presented with fresh shamrock from HRH Prince William.

King Edward VII, son of Queen Victoria, assumed the colonelcy-in-chief of the regiment on his accession in 1901, and subsequent monarchs have also been colonel-in-chief.