The Princess of Wales enjoyed half a pint of Guinness while commemorating St. Patrick’s Day alongside the Irish Guards.
Catherine, attired in a bottle-green ensemble and adorned with a percher hat, distributed traditional shamrock sprigs to officers, guardsmen, and the regiment’s mascot, Seamus, an Irish wolfhound, during the annual parade at Wellington Barracks.
Following this, she joined the soldiers for a drink and was appreciated for her gesture of covering the bar expenses, to which she humbly responded, “that’s the least I can do.”
Having served as the regiment’s colonel since 2023, the princess was unable to participate in last year’s festivities due to a cancer diagnosis.
Before the parade commenced, Catherine presented medals for long service and exemplary conduct to soldiers who had recently returned from deployment in Iraq.
She subsequently took the salute as colonel during a traditional march-past.
After the ceremony, she engaged with the junior ranks in their dining hall, where a senior guardsman proposed a toast in her honor.
While enjoying her half pint of Guinness, she conversed with the soldiers about their deployment experiences.
Guardsman Barry Loughlin, who led the toast, remarked afterward: “She was interested in how things were going with the blokes in general.
“She was incredibly kind and warm. I felt a bit flustered.
“It was evident that she had a sincere interest in us.”
Catherine then visited the sergeants’ mess, where she met with the families of soldiers currently serving overseas, including those involved in training Ukrainian troops.
This event has its origins in the regiment’s inaugural St. Patrick’s Day celebration in 1901.