The Princess of Wales visited members of the Irish Guards at Mons Barracks today where she joined the traditional St Patrick’s Day parade, handing out sprigs of shamrock

The Princess of Wales celebrated St Patrick’s Day by carrying out a tradition that has become a fixture of her royal diary. Kate travelled to Mons Barracks, where she handed traditional sprigs of shamrock to members of the Irish Guards as they celebrate St Patrick’s Day today.

The princess, who dressed in traditional green, presented the shamrocks to the officers and guardsmen, who in turn issued it along the ranks, before presenting a special shamrock to Irish Wolf Hound Seamus, the regiment’s mascot. Kate is the colonel of the Irish Guards and for the for many years has carried out the task at the regiment’s St Patrick’s Day parade, where she took the salute.

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Kate meets some of the families of those in the Irish Guards (Image: PA)

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Following the parade today, Kate awarded long service and good conduct medals to soldiers within the regiment then met a group of Regimental Association Members of the Irish Guards and the ‘Mini Micks’, who are junior cadets from Northern Ireland. The Princess then joined the official Officers’ and Sergeants’ Mess photographs.

She met Drummer Joseph G.S. Aldridge, the dog Seamus’s handler, who said Kate “always loves” greeting the dog. Seamus received a sprig of shamrock from the princess during the parade, which she pinned to his red coat.

Drummer Aldridge said: “It’s nice because she remembered me from last year. She asked how he’s doing, (said) it’s lovely to see him, as always. He’s fit, he’s healthy, that’s what she wanted to know – how healthy he is. She always loves saying hello to Seamus.”

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Kate hands out sprigs of shamrock (Image: Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)

The soldier described it as a “privilege” to have the Princess of Wales as the regiment’s colonel, adding: “Every regiment of the guards has their own member of the royal family, and they have their own traditions with the royal family, so it’s a really nice day for her to come out and celebrate St Patrick’s Day with us.”

After this, Kate attended the Sergeants’ Mess to meet with members from the regiment and their families, to recognise the important contribution they make to supporting our Armed Forces.

While there, she told the wives of the Irish Guards that they need a “mum’s club” to help with childcare. The mum of three discussed juggling taking care of young children with the pressures of having spouses in the Armed Forces.

Talking to families at Mons Barracks in Aldershot on St Patrick’s Day, she told one young mother: “You need a mum’s club or something!”

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Irish Wolf Hound Seamus is presented with his shamrock(Image: PA)

Speaking to the troops and their families in the Sergeant’s Mess after the parade, the Princess remarked on the “amazing swimming pool” and communal areas available. She also discussed sports with the children of the officers present, asking them what they play and how often.

She also met Lance Sergeant Mills, who led the drums and pipes during the parade, his wife Jessica, and their three-year-old daughter Vienna, who jumped up and down with excitement as the princess crouched down to greet her.

“Are you excited?” Kate asked Vienna, before telling her she had “beautiful hair” and applauding when the little girl twirled in her blue dress. She princess offered her hands to Vienna, who took them before swinging towards the floor.

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Kate is the Colonel of the Irish Guards(Image: PA)

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Kate takes the salute(Image: Samir Hussein/WireImage)

Kate laughed as she pulled Vienna to her feet and was joined by another girl, Sergeant English’s daughter, Mila, three. Taking her hands, Kate complimented Mila on her dress and matching green bow, asking if “mummy” helped her with it.

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LSgt Mills described meeting the princess as “such a great opportunity”, and one his daughter had been excited about “all week”. He added: “I led the drums and pipes on today, so that was a big moment for me in my career.” His wife, Jessica, said: “(Kate’s) just so easy to talk to, and really down to earth, I wasn’t actually expecting that. “It’s my first time getting to come to the parade, so it was really lovely.”

Elsewhere, she also awarded soldiers with long service and good conduct medals before meeting the “Mini Micks”, who are junior cadets from Northern Ireland. Speaking to the junior cadets, she said: “Well done all of you, it’s a hard run. Really well done.”

The Irish Guards serve a dual role as world-class infantry soldiers, specialising in frontline combat roles requiring excellence in the use of Machine Guns, Anti-Tank missiles, Mortars, Reconnaissance, and Sniper capabilities, and, as the ceremonial personal bodyguard to the Monarch, are frequently seen guarding Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle.

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The Princess of Wales with the Irish Guards today(Image: PA)

After a sustained period of providing vital support to training the Ukrainian Armed forces, the Irish Guards are now committed to modernisation and remaining at the forefront of emerging operational capabilities and are now a leading force in building the UK’s drone warfare capability.

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.

And last year, 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”.

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.