Kate Middleton marks St. Patrick’s Day with the Irish Guards on March 17, 2025. Photo:
Chris Jackson/Getty
Kate Middleton is back on duty with the Irish Guards for St. Patrick’s Day.
The Princess of Wales, 43, took part in the parade and celebrations with the men and women of the regiment in London on March 17. It marked a return to the event for Kate, who missed last year’s parade amid her health journey. The royal mom-of-three was recovering from a January 2024 abdominal surgery, and she revealed later in March 2024 that she had been diagnosed with cancer.
Princess Kate is the honorary Colonel of the regiment, a role she took over from her husband, Prince William. Following the death of Queen Elizabeth, King Charles instead made his son and heir the Colonel of the Welsh Guards, a role coinciding with William’s new title as the Prince of Wales.
The princess began her holiday visit to Wellington Barracks in the heart of London by rewarding some of the soldiers with long service and good conduct medals.
Kate Middleton marks St. Patrick’s Day with the Irish Guards on March 17, 2025. Chris Jackson/Getty
Sporting a dark green coat and matching hat, she then joined the parade and took part in the traditional presentation to the officers and guardsmen of decorative sprigs of shamrock.
The Irish Wolf Hound regimental mascot was not left out either, as a shamrock was handed over to decorate the dog’s coat.
Kate Middleton marks St. Patrick’s Day with the Irish Guards on March 17, 2025. Chris Jackson/Getty
Following the parade, Princess Kate met some veterans of the Irish Guards and Mini Micks, junior cadets from Northern Ireland.
Then it was time to sample some of the celebrations inside. After sitting for the commemorative official officers’ and sergeants’ mess photographs, Kate joined the celebrations in the junior ranks’ dining hall where the senior guardsman in the battalion proposed a toast (with a pint of Guinness, of course!) to their Colonel, the Princess of Wales.
Sitting down with some of the guardsmen, she was told about their roles and experiences in the Irish Guards regiment, while later she joined some of the families in the sergeants’ mess.
Kate Middleton marks St. Patrick’s Day with the Irish Guards on March 17, 2025. Chris Jackson/Getty
The Princess of Wales last attended the St. Patrick’s Day parade in 2023, opting for a teal ensemble that perfectly matched the plumes worn in the bearskin caps by the 1st Battalion Irish Guards. That outing marked the handover of roles, as Prince William passed on the baton in the ceremonial role to her. That day, they both gave speeches, with William sharing a farewell (and calling Kate “Colonel Catherine”) as Kate spoke about the “true honor” of taking over.
Having a chuckle at himself and the tradition of toasting with Guinness, he said, “I would now like to speak directly to the families gathered here today,” he said. “I hope you know how truly grateful I am to all of you too. On this, my 13th and final St. Patrick’s Day as Colonel, not only am I saddened that I’ll likely fail once again to finish a pint of Guinness… but I am also sad that I won’t in future see more of you, the families, whose unwavering support enables these outstanding men and women to do what they do.”
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Kate Middleton marks St. Patrick’s Day with the Irish Guards on March 17, 2025. Chris Jackson/Getty
Princess Kate made a rare outing amid her cancer treatment in June 2024 during Trooping the Colour, the annual celebration of the British monarch’s birthday. Last year’s event saw the Irish Guards lead the London parade, as the five regiments of the Foot Guards rotate which present their flag at Trooping the Colour each year.
However, Kate did not lead the Colonel’s Review the weekend before Trooping the Colour, as is tradition, amid her cancer treatment. Instead, she did send a letter sharing her “apologies.”
“I wanted to write and let you know how proud I am of the entire regiment ahead of the Colonel’s Review and Trooping of the Colour,” she said. “I appreciate everyone trooping this year has been practicing for months and dedicating many hours to ensuring their uniforms and drill are immaculate.”
Kate Middleton marks St. Patrick’s Day with the Irish Guards on March 17, 2025. Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace
Kate continued, “Being your colonel remains a great honor, and I am very sorry that I’m unable to take the salute at this year’s Colonel’s Review. Please pass my apologies to the whole Regiment, however, I do hope that I am able to represent you all once again very soon. Please send my very best wishes and good luck to all involved.”
The Princess of Wales signed her name as “Colonel Catherine.”
