The Princess of Wales attended the Irish Guards' annual St Patrick's Day Parade at Mons Barracks in Aldershot, Hampshire, on Tuesday. As colonel of the regiment, she wore a bottle green coat adorned with an Irish Guards cap star originally gifted to the late Queen Elizabeth II in the 1960s.
During the parade, Kate presented officers and guardsmen with traditional sprigs of shamrock and greeted the regimental mascot, an Irish wolfhound named Turlough Mor, known as Seamus. The event concluded with three cheers for the princess, who took the royal salute before presenting good conduct and long-service medals to three soldiers.
After the parade, Kate met families in the officers' mess, including Lance Sergeant Mills, who led the drums and pipes, his wife Jessica, and their three-year-old daughter Vienna. The princess crouched to greet the girl, asking if she was excited and complimenting her hair. Vienna twirled in her blue dress as Kate applauded.
Kate also interacted with Mila, three, daughter of Sergeant English, praising her dress and matching green bow. The princess asked Mila if her mother had helped with the outfit.
Lance Sergeant Mills described meeting the princess as a 'great opportunity', adding that his daughter had been excited all week. His wife Jessica commented that Kate was 'easy to talk to' and 'really down to earth'. Drummer Joseph G.S. Aldridge, Seamus's handler, noted that Kate remembered him from last year and asked about the dog's health, saying she 'always loves saying hello to Seamus'.
Kate succeeded the Prince of Wales as colonel of the Irish Guards in December 2022. The regiment, founded by Queen Victoria, is marking the end of its 125th anniversary year and has played a key role in Operation Interflex, training Ukrainian soldiers.
