Princess Kate Middleton made a public appearance to visit the Irish Guards today ahead of the annual St Patrick’s Day Parade.
The Princess of Wales is honorary colonel of the regiment, but missed the events last year due to her ongoing cancer treatment.
Last year, Kate missed the parade but put £2,000 behind the regimental bar at Aldershot – and it’s rumoured she’s done the same this year.
Metro contacted Kensington Palace for comment.
This morning, Princess Kate presented fresh sprigs of shamrock to members of the Irish Guards.
Following tradition, she handed out the symbolic greenery to officers, warrant officers, and the regiment’s Irish wolfhound mascot, Turlough Mor.
She later joined soldiers for a half pint of Guinness after the parade.
In a sit down chat with troops on the special day, she quizzed them on the difficulties of being on deployment.
She said: ‘Being able to manage that work-life balance – it’s tough.’
Guardsman Barry Loughlin, who led the toast, said afterwards: ‘She wanted to know how things were going with the blokes in general.
‘She was really nice and really warm. I was kind of flustered. You could tell she had a genuine interest in us.’
The Irish guards are a regiment of the British Army, which work to guard the Royal Family.
They’re often found at royal palaces from time to time sporting the famous red tunic and a bearskin cap.
Last year, Kate also penned a letter to the Irish Guards, apologising for missing the final rehearsal for the Trooping the Colour parade as she continued her recovery from cancer.
Her letter said: ‘I am very sorry that I’m unable to take the salute at this year’s Colonel’s Review.
‘Please pass on my apologies to the whole regiment, I do hope that I am able to represent you all once again very soon.’
This year, the Irish Guard’s mascot has caught attention online. Turlough Mor, or Seamus, is named after a former Irish king – the King of Connaught from 1106 to 1156 and the High King of Ireland from 1136 to 1156.
Seamus wore a dashing red coat this morning as he led the regiment’s parade.
He also made appearances for Trooping the Colour, and was present for King Charles’ coronation.
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