Princess Kate will attend a solo engagement this morning as she attends the special St Patrick’s Day parade by the Irish Guards. The Princess of Wales, who became Colonel of the regiment in 2023, was unable to attend the special event last year after being diagnosed with cancer.
So today marks an emotional return for Kate, who will award long service and good conduct medals to soldiers and present the traditional sprigs of shamrock to officers and guardsmen on her visit to Wellington Barracks in London on Monday. 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. She’s also likely to meet the Irish wolfhound regimental mascot.
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.
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 her major abdominal surgery.
It was later announced that Kate had been diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer.
