Kate Middleton was honoured with three cheers by Irish Guards during St Patrick’s Day Parade.
The Princess of Wales was a no-show as honorary Lieutenant Colonel in the wake of current break from royal duties following abdominal surgery.
At the traditional parade on Sunday, she was replaced by Lady Ghika, the wife of Lieutenant colonel Major General Sir Christopher Ghika, who presented the Irish Guards’ mascot, Seamus the dog, with a shamrock in Kate’s stead.
This is the first time the princess skipped the parade, which is organized to mark the death of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, in nearly a decade after attending it since 2012.
She was conferred the role of honorary Colonel when King Charles ascended to the throne in 2023 following the death of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
The title was previously held by her husband Prince William.
Despite being absent from the ceremony in Aldershot, Kate and William issued a joint statement to pay a tribute on their social media.
“Happy St Patrick’s Day! Here’s a sneak peak of the Irish Guards rehearsing for their annual parade. Sláinte to all those celebrating today!” the caption read, accompanied by a video of sneak peek into the preparations for the ceremony.
