Princess of Wales celebrates St Patrick's Day with Irish Guards

The Princess of Wales wished the officers and guardsmen of the Irish Guards a happy St Patrick's Day as she presented them with traditional sprigs of shamrock.

Kate - who has served as the regiment's colonel since 2022 - also greeted its mascot, an Irish wolf hound named Turlough Mor, affectionately known as Seamus, as she attended the annual parade. The royal was at the event at Mons Barracks in Aldershot, Hampshire, on Tuesday, wearing a bottle green coat with an Irish Guards cap star pinned to it.

After the event concluded with three cheers for the princess, she presented good conduct and long-service medals to three soldiers. While meeting families in the officers' mess, she spoke to Lance Sergeant Mills, who led the drums and pipes during the parade, his wife Jessica, and their daughter Vienna.

The three-year-old jumped up and down with excitement as Kate crouched down to speak to her. The princess asked Vienna if she was excited, before telling her she had "beautiful hair" and applauding when the little girl twirled in her blue dress.

She then offered her hands to the child, who took them before swinging towards the floor. LSgt Mills described meeting the princess as "such a great opportunity.