Kate Middleton Celebrates St. Patrick's Day
Kate Middleton visited the 1st Battalion British Guards for the annual St. Patrick's Day parade at Mons Barracks, Aldershot on Tuesday, March 17.
The Duchess of Cambridge arrived with Prince William, fresh from their weekend in Buckleberry with the Middletons. The Prince joined his wife in his role as colonel of the regiment, which he was made in May 2011.
Two hundred soldiers marched on to the Parade Square at the barracks wearing full ceremonial uniform of scarlet tunics and bearskins. The Duchess then presented the shamrock to officers and warrant officers who in turn issued it along the ranks.
This year marks the fourth consecutive year that the Duchess has presented shamrock at the parade. The tradition dates back to Queen Alexandra, who first made the presentation in 1901.
Opting to forego the traditional green, the royal, who is pregnant with her second child, kept warm in a bespoke brown coat which she paired with a chocolate hued hat, brown gloves, and brown pumps. She accessorized with a shamrock-shaped brooch, once gifted to the Queen Mother by the Irish guard.
The Duke and Duchess also met with members of the regiment, who toasted the royal couple for attending and thanked Her Royal Highness for presenting the gift.
The royals were also photographed in a light moment as they, together with the servicemen, assembled for a photo.
The Duchess was photographed clutching her nose as the servicemen surrounding her erupted into laughter. According to Mirror, hilarity ensued when the photographer asked for "one more photo" over and over again, which prompted one of the soldiers to make a withering comment and sparked laughter from those around him, including the Duchess.
The parade counted as one of the Duchess' last appearances before she gives birth.
