Dressed in a long bottle-green coat decorated with a gold shamrock brooch, Kate paid a visit to the Irish Guards – of which she is Colonel – in honour of St. Patrick’s Day and one generous move didn’t go unnoticed.
After carrying out ceremonial duties, where she presented the traditional sprigs of shamrock to officers, guardsmen and mascot Seamus, the Irish wolfhound, at the regiment’s annual parade at Wellington Barracks, Kate joined a number of soldiers for a drink.
Kate enjoyed a sip of Guinness as a senior guardsman toasted her and her role, to a round of applause.
According to the BBC she was was later thanked for putting money behind the bar for the guardsmen, the princess replying “that’s the least I can do”.
Kate was made colonel of the regiment since 2023, but missed last year’s even while undergoing treatment for cancer.
Speaking at the event, while chatting to the soldiers and their families she also revealed her desire to take a family trip Down Under.
The 43-year-old royal – who has Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six, with husband Prince William – and her spouse were joined by their eldest child on a tour Down Under when he was just eight months old, and she’s keen to take her brood there again now they’re old enough to remember the trip.
According to Britain’s HELLO! magazine, she told Corporal Adam Hamilton, an Australian reservist: “George finds it fascinating that he has been to Australia and New Zealand.
“I would like to go back there with them now. It’s finding time to do that. But I love to travel – yes, it’s a long flight. But I love the Middle East because that’s familiar to me [from] growing up. There are so many opportunities now to travel, I think it’s brilliant to experience it.”
The princess explained it is key to be able to balance “a bit of work” with the children’s needs and a desire to explore the countries when she and William make such trips.
She added: “We tend to go further afield when it’s official visits, it’s being able to carve out time to experience these countries in a more private capacity.
“Because otherwise you end up seeing lots of insides of amazing buildings but you don’t get to meet that many people.
“It’s making sure that you can combine a bit of work with the children. I might see you down there!”
Kate also revealed she and her family appreciate having more “green space” since leaving London for Windsor.
Asked where they live, she said: “We are in Windsor at the moment. We were in London but moved there for more green space. It’s close enough to London, not too far away.”
William has caused a stir in recent months with his new beard, but his wife admitted she isn’t sure how long he will keep it.
She said: “These trends come and go. I was saying to my husband, I’m not sure how long he’s going to keep his for.”
Kate took over as Colonel of the Irish Guards from Prince William following a reshuffle in 2022 after King Charles took the throne, and Monday marked the first St. Patrick’s Day parade she has carried out without her husband.
The princess took the salute during a march-past and presented traditional sprigs of shamrock to officers and guardsmen, after earlier awarding long service and good conduct medals in a private ceremony.
