Three cheers for Kate! Princess of Wales ‘will be honoured by Irish Guards despite not attending St Patrick’s Day parade’ as she recovers from abdominal surgery

Kate Middleton will not attend the St. Patrick’s Day parade for the first time in seven years as she continues to recover from abdominal surgery.

The Prince or Princess of Wales is not expected to be at Mons Barracks in Aldershot, Hampshire, on Sunday due to Kate’s planned operation, which took place in January.

The Princess of Wales, 42, has since disappeared from the public eye, only appearing on Mother’s Day to share a family photo that became the source of increased speculation when it emerged the image had been doctored.

Sunday will be the first time since 2016 that Kate will miss the St. Patrick’s Day parade. She has attended every other parade since 2012.

But despite her lack of presence, Kate, who became an honorary colonel of the Irish Guards last year, will reportedly be honored by soldiers at Mons barracks.

A source told PEOPLE that the Irish Guards will send their best wishes to the mother of three and cheer on the princess at the end of their festive parade.

MailOnline has contacted Kensington Palace for comment.

During last year’s St. Patrick’s Day parade, Kate gave a short speech.

“I am here to listen to you, support you and defend you in everything you do – this is a responsibility I do not take lightly,” she said.

“I look forward to spending more time with you and your family and seeing your dedication and service in all you do.

‘Before I close, however, I would like to thank Colonel William. He has always spoken of his fierce pride for this regiment.

“I know he will continue to support all of us in the work we do.”

Prince William became an honorary Colonel of the Irish Guards in 2011, shortly before marrying Kate. He later became Colonel of the Welsh Guards in 2022.

The Prince and Princess of Wales are not expected to be at Mons Barracks in Aldershot, Hampshire, on Sunday due to Kate’s planned operation, which took place in January. Pictured: Kate Middleton’s last sighting

The Princess of Wales, 42, has since disappeared from the public eye, only appearing on Mother’s Day to share a family photo

Sunday will be the first time since 2016 that Kate will miss the St. Patrick’s Day parade. She has attended every other parade since 2012

Despite her lack of presence, Kate, who last year became an honorary colonel of the Irish Guards, will reportedly be honored by soldiers at Mons barracks

It comes as our royal editor Rebecca English said the Princess of Wales is likely to be ‘very saddened by the consequences’ after admitting she digitally edited a family portrait taken by Prince William.

The photo was released by Kensington Palace on Sunday to mark Mother’s Day and prompted an apology from Kate, which Rebecca said was ‘honest and sincere’.

The princess – who has not been seen at a public royal event since Christmas Day – was “just trying to put up a nice picture of her children,” Rebecca added.

She also said she hoped “lessons have been learned internally” at Kensington Palace, but that the public should “just as graciously accept the apology and move on.”

A source told PEOPLE that the Irish Guards will send their best wishes to the mother of three and cheer on the princess at the end of their festive parade.

During last year’s St. Patrick’s Day parade, Kate gave a short speech to the Irish Guards

Prince William became an honorary Colonel of the Irish Guards in 2011, shortly before marrying Kate. He later became Colonel of the Welsh Guards in 2022

Last year, the Princess of Wales enjoyed a sip of Guinness after paying tribute to her husband Prince William at the Irish Guards’ St. Patrick’s Day parade in Hampshire.

Wearing a turquoise coat to match the color of the 1st Battalion Irish Guards’ blue plume, Kate drank a pint of ‘the black stuff’ with her husband after giving an emotional speech.

The princess said: ‘I really couldn’t be prouder to stand here before you today. It is truly an honor to be your colonel. I am here to listen to you, support you and defend you in everything you do – this is a responsibility I do not take lightly.”

Meanwhile, William said being Colonel of the Irish Guards has been one of the ‘great honors of my life’.