For the past ten years, the Princess of Wales has taken part in the tradition of handing out shamrock to the Irish Guards on St. Patrick’s Day.
Wearing the party green, she’s attended the St. Patrick’s Day parade eight times, meeting officers, tucking into a sip of Guinness and even playing with the Guards’ mascot – a friendly Irish wolfhound.
Despite an awkward high-heeled mishap and a passing-out security guard, the princess has consistently brought glamor and her beaming smile to the festivities over the years.
For her first parade in 2012, which was also her first solo military engagement, Kate wore an elegant emerald coat by Emilia Wickstead paired with a chocolate brown Lock & Co hat.
2012: Kate made her first appearance at a St. Patrick’s Day parade, which was also her first solo military deployment
And sadly, a soldier collapsed wearing his hot scarlet uniform when the military met the Duchess
As part of the age-old custom, Kate handed out sprigs of cloverleaf to the officers and guards, which were then distributed among the ranks, while remaining calm after an officer passed out in his uniform and bearskin cap.
The glowing princess wore the same coat the following year to cover her growing baby bump, this time with a black turtleneck and matching black hat.
But Kate had to enlist the help of her husband’s Prince William when her black suede high heels got caught in a grate.
Prince William held out an arm as the unfazed princess twisted her stiletto out of the drain and she continued as she shared anecdotes about her impending motherhood with the guards, telling one of them, “I’d like to have a boy and William would like want a girl. ‘
2013: The Princess has suffered a number of pageant mishaps over the years, including getting her heel caught in a grate
You can also see the princess giving a bunch of clover to the friendly mascot of the Irish Guards – an Irish wolfhound
At each of her St. Patrick’s parade appearances, Kate has adorned her outfit with a delicate gold shamrock brooch from Cartier, borrowed by the Irish Guards regiment.
The accessory was worn by the Queen Mother during her appearances with the Irish Guards on St. Patrick’s Day and later by Princess Anne, who took over the role after the Queen Mother’s death.
The princess sparked controversy after she opted not to attend the 2016 parade, opting instead to spend time with her children, leaving Prince William to hand out the shamrock alone.
2014: Kate donned a shamrock cluster and gold shamrock brooch for her St. Patrick’s Day appearances
2015: The Princess of Wales hands out shamrock to the Irish Guards during her visit (pictured when she was pregnant with Princess Charlotte)
2017: After missing the parade in 2016, Kate made a glamorous return the following year in a flattering double-breasted bespoke Catherine Walker coat with striking gold buttons
But she returned with gusto in 2017, dressed in a flattering double-breasted bespoke Catherine Walker coat with striking gold buttons and celebrated with a pint of Guinness.
Kate has met a whole host of adorable dogs while participating in the pageants. Every year she is introduced to an Irish Wolfhound, the regiment’s mascot, to give them their very own sprig of clover.
2018: Kate once again flaunts her baby bump in a green fur-lined Catherine Walker coat with a Gina Foster hat. Weeks later, she gave birth to Louis
2019: Kate returned to her favorite brand Alexander McQueen for the parade in a green coat from the label with a matching pillbox hat from Lock & Co
2022: Last year Kate wore a £3,200 Laura Green London dress to visit the guards in Hampshire
The handing of the shamrock to the Irish Guards has been performed on St. Patrick’s Day by female members of the Royal Family since 1901, when Queen Alexandra started the tradition.
The custom was continued by the Queen Mother until her death, who even missed her favorite day in Cheltenham to attend the parade, and then by Princess Anne.
After marrying Prince William in 2011, it fell to Kate to carry on the tradition as her husband was the Royal Colonel of the Irish Guards.
But after the Queen’s death last year, a reshuffling of positions saw Kate herself appointed Colonel of the Irish Guards.