It has been a tradition over the years for Prince William and Kate Middleton to attend a St Patrick’s Day parade with the Irish Guards – and one year Kate suffered a very awkward moment
Today is St Patrick’s Day – and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are set to mark the occasion with a royal tradition.
The couple will be joining the 1st Battalion Irish Guards for their annual St Patrick’s Day parade and will no doubt be treated to a pint of Guinness after.The event is one that Prince William and Kate have attended many times throughout the years – with Kate nearly always wearing Ireland’s national colour of green.However, in 2013 she almost ended up red-faced after suffering a hugely embarrassing moment during the event.
At the parade, Kate is in charge of handing out traditional shamrocks while William, as colonel of the Irish Guards, takes the salute.But one year, while pregnant with Prince George, she almost tumbled to the ground after getting her shoe’s heel caught in a drain cover.She tried to get her heel to budge after it became stuck but was unable to free herself.
Luckily, husband William was on hand to help Kate steady herself without losing her shoe.She was then able to bend down to free her footwear, before carrying on with the ceremony.When William and Kate attend Mons Barracks in Aldershot for today’s event, it will be the first time since 2019 they have attended.
Unfortunately, last year’s event was scrapped due to the Covid-19 pandemic while the 2020 parade was unable to go ahead as the majority of the regiment was overseas on deployment.
During today’s event, Kate will present sprigs of shamrock to the officers and guardsmen, who in turn will issue it along the ranks – a tradition carried out by royal women since 1901
She will also present the regimental mascot, an Irish Wolf Hound, with his own sprig of shamrock, while William will take the salute during a march-past.
Following the parade, the couple will meet members of the regiment for an official photo and visit the Junior Ranks dining hall, where they will take a toast – no doubt with a pint of traditional Guinness.
