Catherine shines in green, toasting tradition and resilience with the Irish Guards.
On March 17, 2025, the Princess of Wales, Catherine, brought a touch of regal elegance and festive cheer to the Irish Guards’ annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade at Wellington Barracks in London. Returning to the cherished event after missing it in 2024 due to her health challenges, the Princess marked her first solo appearance at the parade as Colonel of the Irish Guards—a role she has held with pride since 2022. Her triumphant return was a highlight of the regiment’s 125th anniversary celebrations, blending tradition, resilience, and a hint of Irish charm.
Dressed in a striking bottle-green Alexander McQueen coat dress—a recycled piece previously worn during her 2022 visit to Boston—Catherine embodied the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day with her signature style. The tailored coat was paired with a floral-trimmed beret by Lock & Co., black heeled boots, and the iconic Irish Guards shamrock brooch, a gold treasure adorned with an emerald centre, historically worn by royal women like the Queen Mother and Princess Anne. A fresh sprig of shamrock pinned to her lapel completed the look, a nod to the regiment’s time-honoured tradition.
Courtesy of the the Royal Family Channel on You Tube
The parade itself was a vibrant affair, steeped in history and symbolism. As Colonel, the Princess presented shamrock sprigs to officers and guardsmen, who pinned them to their uniforms in a custom dating back to Queen Victoria’s reign. Even the regiment’s beloved mascot, Turlough Mor—an Irish wolfhound affectionately known as Seamus—received his own sprig, earning a warm pat from Catherine in a moment that delighted onlookers. The event concluded with a royal salute and a march-past, with the Princess taking the salute in her ceremonial role, a duty she executed with poise and grace.
This year’s celebration held extra significance as the Irish Guards marked 125 years since their founding in 1900. Established by Queen Victoria to honour the bravery of Irish regiments in the Boer War, the Guards have long celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with shamrocks—a tradition Catherine has embraced wholeheartedly since her first visit to the parade in 2012. Her return in 2025, following a challenging year that included abdominal surgery in January 2024 and a subsequent cancer diagnosis, underscored her dedication to the regiment and her gradual return to public life after announcing her remission in January 2025.
Beyond the formalities, the Princess added a personal touch to the day’s festivities. After the parade, she joined guardsmen, veterans, and junior cadets—the “Mini Micks” from Northern Ireland—for heartfelt conversations. In a generous gesture, she reportedly placed money behind the bar at the junior ranks’ dining hall, ensuring the soldiers could toast the occasion with their traditional pints of Guinness. Catherine herself sipped a pint, raising a glass as the senior guardsman proposed a toast to their Colonel—a moment of camaraderie that has become a hallmark of her St. Patrick’s Day visits.
Reflecting on her absence from the 2024 parade, when the Guards honoured her with three cheers despite her recovery, Catherine expressed her delight at being back. “It’s great to be here to celebrate 125 years of the regiment with you today,” she reportedly told the soldiers, a sentiment echoed in a message shared on the Prince and Princess of Wales’s official social media: “Happy St Patrick’s Day! ☘️ Great to be back to join the Irish Guards for their annual St Patrick’s Day parade here at Wellington Barracks. Proud to be your Colonel.”
The Princess’s appearance was a testament to her resilience and commitment, qualities that have endeared her to the public and the regiment alike. Since marrying Prince William in 2011, she has been a regular at the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, often alongside her husband, who served as Colonel from 2011 until passing the role to her in 2022 following King Charles III’s accession. This year, however, Prince William was absent, preparing for his first overseas trip of 2025 to Estonia, leaving Catherine to shine solo in the spotlight.
For royal watchers and fans of tradition, the Princess of Wales’s St. Patrick’s Day outing was a joyful reminder of the monarchy’s deep ties to its military heritage—and Catherine’s growing stature within it. As she continues her recovery and ramps up her public duties, this celebration was a fitting tribute to her strength, style, and unwavering support for the Irish Guards. Here’s to many more St. Patrick’s Days with Colonel Catherine leading the charge—shamrock in hand and Guinness at the ready!
