The Princess of Wales has made it a tradition to to attend an annual event with the 1st Battalion Irish Guards each St Patrick’s Day- and one year Kate suffered a very awkward moment
The Princess of Wales is set to attend a favourite engagement that has become a fixture of her diary later today. This morning she will be at Mons Barracks for the traditional St Patrick’s Day Parade with the Irish Guards.
Kate is the colonel of the Irish Guards and it has become a tradition for her to join their St Patrick’s Day parade, where she hands out sprigs of shamrock and nearly always wears a coat in a shade of green. In years gone by, the princess used to attend the event alongside husband Prince William, the previous colonel of the Irish Guards, for the fun parade.
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However, in 2013 she almost ended suffered an awkward mishap moment during the event – and William was forced to intervene. At the parade, Kate was in charge of handing out traditional shamrocks, which are passed to the soldiers.
But one year, while pregnant with Prince George, she almost tumbled to the ground after getting her shoe’s heel caught in a drain cover. She tried to get her heel to budge after it became stuck but was unable to free herself without using her hands.
Luckily, husband William was on hand to help Kate steady herself without losing her shoe. She was then able to bend down to free her footwear, before carrying on with the ceremony.
At last year’s parade, Kate made an emotional return to the event after beind forced to miss it in 2024, due to her abdominal surgery and cancer diagnosis.
On her return she awarded long service and good conduct medals to soldiers and presented the traditional sprigs of shamrock to officers and guardsmen at Wellington Barracks in London. Also present was the Irish wolfhound regimental mascot.
And not only did she hand out the shamrocks, it also emerged she put money behind the bar to buy those in the regiment a drink to toast their special day saying it’s the “least I can do”.
After taking the salute, the princess then headed into the barracks where the soldiers proposed a toast in her honour – and she sipped a half pint of Guinness before chatting to soldiers and their families.
The Princess also chatted to section commanders in the bar about her husband’s beard, which he has been sporting since the summer. “These trends come and go,” she said. “I was saying to my husband, I’m not sure how long he’s going to keep his for.”
Kate was made Colonel of the Irish Guards back in December 2023. It came as William took over the position of Colonel of the Welsh Guard upon becoming the Prince of Wales, leaving Kate to take his place.
At Trooping the Colour, colonels usually wear full military uniform, with some even taking part in the parade on horseback. But Kate has only ever took part in a carriage and has not worn military uniform for the event.
