The Princess of Wales marked her first solo St Patrick’s Day parade as Colonel of the Irish Guards by putting money behind the bar for soldiers, celebrating the occasion with troops and their families at Wellington Barracks in London.
Wearing a bottle green Alexander McQueen coat and a regimental brooch, the Princess joined the festivities over half a pint of Guinness. Expressing her excitement at returning after missing last year’s parade due to abdominal surgery, she warmly told the soldiers: “It’s the least I can do.”
Upon arrival, she was greeted by Maj Gen Sir Chris Ghika and Lt Col Ben Irwin-Clark before engaging with their families. She shared a moment with six-year-old Rory Irwin-Clark, noting he was the same age as her son, Prince Louis. His mother, Carice, mentioned they often saw the Princess at school sports matches, as their daughter is the same age as Princess Charlotte.
During the ceremony, the Princess presented operational and long-service medals to soldiers returning from deployment in Iraq. She also handed out traditional shamrocks to officers, guardsmen, and the regiment’s mascot, an Irish Wolfhound named Seamus, affectionately ruffling his fur before pinning a sprig to her lapel.
Later, she attended a relaxed gathering in the junior ranks’ dining hall, where Senior Guardsman Barry Loughlin proposed a toast in her honor. Raising her glass of Guinness, the Princess smiled and took a sip as the soldiers cheered.
Speaking informally with troops, she discussed the challenges of balancing work and personal life, especially for those on deployment. She also revealed her desire to visit Australia again with her children, recalling her 2014 trip with a then-nine-month-old Prince George. “It’s finding time to do that,” she said, adding that she enjoys traveling but values opportunities to explore countries beyond official visits.
The Princess also playfully commented on Prince William’s beard, remarking, “These trends come and go. I’m not sure how long he’s going to keep his for.”
Committed to supporting Army recruitment, she spoke with section commanders about the range of careers available, showing a keen interest in helping attract new talent to the forces.
Senior Guardsman Loughlin praised her genuine warmth and interest, saying, “She wanted to know how things were going with the blokes in general. She was really nice and really warm.”
This engagement was one of her most high-profile solo appearances since gradually resuming public duties. Last year, she missed the parade while recovering from surgery, later revealing in a heartfelt video message that she had been diagnosed with cancer and had started early-stage chemotherapy. By September, she announced her treatment was complete and later confirmed she was in remission.
With her return to public life, the Princess’s presence at the parade underscored her deep commitment to the Irish Guards and the wider military community.
0 Comments