The Duke of Cambridge as Colonel of the Irish Guards will not be marking St Patrick’s Day publicly with a military routined engagement.
Usually, Prince William and Kate attend a parade- which is an opportunity for all Irish Guards, serving, aspirational or retired to come together in celebration and honor their regimental and
cultural traditions on the Sunday before 17 March and hand out shamrocks to army personnel, but this year the 1st Battalion Irish Guards are currently deployed in Iraq and South Sudan.
The couple also take part in proceedings and watch 350 soldiers participate in the parade – led by their mascot, the Irish Wolfhound Domhnall, and the Band of the Irish Guards play traditional Irish airs – with William taking the salute.
After which Kate follows a tradition which began with Queen Alexandra in 1901, to hand out shamrocks to officers and warrant officers. After the parade, which concludes with a march-past where the Duke took the salute, William and Kate then go on to enjoy a lunch with the officers and typically toast the day with some Guinness.
Royal fans look forward to Kate’s fashion option as she makes a stunning appearance with a unique accessory- the Cartier shamrock brooch which is historically loaned to royal family members for engagements with the Guards.
