The Princess of Wales is to attend the Irish Guards’ St Patrick’s Day parade in a solo engagement next week. She's been confirmed to carry out the solo engagement on Monday, 17 March, with the Irish Guards for their annual St Patrick's Day parade.
Kate, who is colonel of the regiment, missed the Guards’ celebrations last year after being diagnosed with cancer. Gradually returning to public duties, the princess, 43,will be awarding long service and good conduct medals to soldiers and presenting traditional sprigs of shamrock to officers and guardsmen at Wellington Barracks in London. The Irish Wolfhound regimental mascot will also be present.
As colonel, Kate will take the salute during a march-past and spend time with Irish Guards veterans and junior cadets from Northern Ireland, known as Mini Micks. She'll also visit the junior ranks' dining hall, where a toast will be proposed in her honour by senior guardsman, and mingle with families in the sergeants' mess.
In 2023, Kate joined the Irish Guards on St Patrick's Day alongside Prince William at Mons Barracks in Aldershot, Hampshire, after taking over the role of colonel from him. Last year, while she was away from duties amid her recovery from abdominal surgery, the guardsman gave three cheers for their absent colonel, reports the Mirror.
The Irish Guards shared a photograph of a letter Kate wrote to them, sending her apologies on their official X account. The letter read: "I wanted to write to let you know how proud I am of the entire regiment ahead of the Colonel's Review and Trooping the Colour. I appreciate everyone Trooping this year has been practising for months, and dedicating many hours to ensure their uniforms and drill are immaculate.
"Being your Colonel remains a great honour, and I am very sorry that I am unable to take the salute at this year's Colonel Review. Please pass my apologies to the whole Regiment, however, I do hope I can represent you all again soon. Please send my very best wishes and good luck to all involved."
Kate finished the letter by handwriting the Irish Guards' motto Quis Separabit, which means 'Who shall separate us?' and signed it 'Colonel Catherine'.
This news about Kate's upcoming engagement comes after the announcement that Prince William will be embarking on his first official overseas visit of the year next week.
William will tour the Baltic state next Thursday and Friday mainly in his role as Colonel-in-Chief of the Mercian Regiment, and travel to Tapa Army Base where British forces are stationed ready to defend Nato’s eastern flank.
The British forces at Tapa are the UK’s largest permanent overseas deployment and there are around 900 UK service personnel in total in Estonia.
William’s visit comes as Europe’s major nations including the UK prepare to step up spending on their armed forces in response to the changing world order ushered in by US President Donald Trump.
The engagements for Kate and William come after they joined the King and Queen in celebrating Commonwealth Day. Kate missed the Westminster Abbey service last year, as did King Charles, with both receiving treatment for cancer during a troubling health scare period for the monarchy.
Kate looked stunning in a dress by Catherine Walker and matching hat by Gina Foster, while Camilla wore a pink wool crepe and satin coat dress by Fiona Clare and pink beret hat by Philip Treacy.
