As Colonel, Kate, Princess of Wales will give the Irish Wolf Hound regimental mascot customary sprigs of shamrock before delivering them to officers and guardsmen, who will then distribute them along the ranks. For the occasion, Kate donned a bright turquoise coat dress.
Kate has – almost – always worn green for St Patrick’s Day since joining the Royal Family in 2011. There has only been a couple of times where she broke this tradition.
Today was not one of those times as the Princess dazzled in turquoise, a popular shade of green.
Kate paid tribute to Ireland’s national saint in an eye-catching coat dress that featured a high collar and buttons running down its bodice.
She combined this with a matching fascinator and suede heels.
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Kate’s coat was a brand new bespoke Catherine Walker design – a British designer the Princess regularly champions.
Her matching facsinator was by Jane Taylor and retailed for a huge £1,450.
Kate completed her look with a pair of suede, turquoise heels and a tiny pair of drop earrings.
These featured tiny emeralds surrounded by diamonds, which Kate has worn many times before.
Royal fans expected Kate to wear a shade of green today, as well as something military-inspired to mark her first time as Colonel.
The Princess opted for a combination of both as the collar of her Catherine Walker coat was similar to the collar of most military jackets.
The sharp shoulders and the distinct buttons were also reminiscent of military style.
Kate completed her look with a tiny, gold, shamrock-shaped brooch, pinned to the left lapel of her coat.
Kate’s hair was styled straight and tucked behind her ears. As for her make-up, she kept the look simple with lashings of black mascara and a light pink lipstick.
Following the parade, the Prince and Princess of Wales will meet with the Irish Guards Association which comprises of past members of the Irish Guards.
Kate will be invited to inspect the front rank, while William will inspect the second rank. After this, the royal couple will meet members of the regiment before sitting for official photographs.
They will also visit the Junior Ranks dining hall where the senior guardsmen in the Battalion will propose a toast to the pair.
Kate has worn a coat in a shade of green for almost every St Patrick’s Day since 2012 – a year after she married Prince William.
But, in 2015, she strayed from tradition by wearing a grey Catherine Walker coat instead of a green garment, which she paired with a brown hat from Lock & Co. At the time Kate was pregnant with Princess Charlotte, and most sources indicated that the grey coat was most comfortable for the royal.
The following year, Kate decided to remain home with young Prince George and Princess Charlotte rather than attend the St Patrick’s Day parade.
With the exception of 2016, as well as the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021, Kate has attended the annual event every year since 2012.
