Today, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were in Hounslow to attend the St Patrick’s Day Parade of 1st Battalion Irish Guards at Cavalry Barracks. Prince William, the Duke been Colonel of the regiment since May 2011.
Since her wedding, this was Duchess’ 6th attendance at the event.
We’re ready on parade for the arrival of @KensingtonRoyal for #StPatricksDay2018 @irish_guards @IrishGuardsBand @BritishArmy pic.twitter.com/JWV26X9MaT
— The Army in London (@ArmyInLondon) March 17, 2018
Shamrock presentation parades trace their origins to the turn of the 20th century, on 28th February 1900Queen Victoria instructed all ranks of her Irish regiments to wear a sprig of shamrock in their headdress to “commemorate the gallantry” of her Irish soldiers.
“HM, the Queen is pleased to order that in future on Saint Patrick’s Day all ranks in Her Majesty’s Irish regiments shall wear as a distinction a sprig of shamrock in their headdress to commemorate the gallantry of Her Irish soldiers during the recent battles in South Africa.”
Today three hundred and fifty soldiers marched onto the Parade Square at Cavalry Barracks led by their mascot Domhnall. The Duke of Cambridge took the salute.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during the annual Parade.
The Duchess of Cambridge presented shamrock to officers and warrant officers, who in turn issued it along with the ranks.
Just like every year, Catherine presented shamrock to Irish Wolfhound Domhnall, the Irish Guards’ mascot.
The Duchess presents shamrock to Irish Wolfhound Domhnall, the Irish Guards’ mascot ☘️ pic.twitter.com/dciHuoDjiG
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) March 17, 2018
A video by Kensington Palace.
After the parade, Catherine was presented with a beautiful posy by two little girls.
The couple met members of the regiment before sitting for official officers’ and sergeants’ photographs. The Duchess of Cambridge talking to the soldiers.
Before leaving, the royal couple visited the Guardsmen’s Lunch where the longest-serving guardsman in the battalion proposed a toast to the royals.
The almost 9 months pregnant Duchess sipped water.
Here is The Duchess’ look during the last years for St Patrick’s Day Parade.
Today the glowing Duchess looked effortlessly elegant and regal in a green Catherine Walker coat. She wore the coat for the first time during the Sweden tour this year in January.
The Duchess kept the cold weather away by pairing the coat with a faux fur collar and faux fur cuffs from Troy London also premiered during the Scandinavian tour. She also wore Cornelia James Beatrice gloves.
She wore ‘Meribel – Felt Beret Hat with Bow’ from Gina Foster. Catherine wore the same hat on the 2015 St Patrick’s Day Parade also.
Classic velour felt beret hat was stylized felt bow trim. Sits on the right-hand side of the head and is secured by elastic that sits under the hair the hat is available on custom order in any color for £535.00 (here shown in a different shade).
Catherine was wearing her trusty Tod’s suede block heel pumps.
Catherine wore the Irish Guards gold shamrock brooch. The three-leaf brooch which has been worn by the Queen Mother and Princess Anne belongs to the regiment and they determine to whom it be loaned. She also wore a sprig of shamrock on her lapel.
The Duchess finished the look with her Kiki McDonough “Special Edition Green Tourmaline, Green Amethyst and Diamond Earrings”.
It is being reported that the due date of Baby Cambridge is the End of April some reporters assume the 23rd of April. In that case, we might have only a few more Duchesses’ looks before she goes on maternity leave. Next, we will see the Duchess on Wednesday.