The Duke of Cambridge took the salute at the Irish Guards' St Patrick's Day parade on Saturday, braving freezing temperatures alongside his wife Catherine. The couple watched 350 soldiers, dressed in red regalia, parade at the 1st Battalion's base in Hounslow, West London.
A shamrock was pinned to the collar of the battalion's mascot Domhnall, an Irish wolfhound, who led the march-past. Before the parade, Domhnall's handler, drummer Aidan Cathcart, expressed concerns that despite a week of test runs his charge might misbehave. 'Domhnall's role is very monumental - he is the first guy on the parade. He is the main guy on the march, it's a pretty important day for him,' he said. Asked if he was confident Domhnall would perform as planned, he replied: 'No.'
Prince William, who is a colonel of the Irish Guards, and Catherine had to face snow and strong winds as the UK experienced another cold snap. The Duchess of Cambridge, who is due to give birth to the couple's third child next month, wore a green Catherine Walker coat and a Gina Foster hat.
