Kate Middleton, the new Colonel of the Irish Guards, was full of celebratory joy while attending her first St. Patrick’s Day parade in the role on Friday.
The Princess of Wales was joined by her husband, Prince William, for the annual celebration of the Irish Guards in the southwest village of Aldershot, England — 40 miles outside London.
Shades of green were the fashion theme for the 41-year-old mother of three, adorned in a sharp-shouldered teal Catherine Walker & Co coat dress accessorized with a matching fascinator, pumps and emerald earrings with a shamrock-shaped brooch.
“Believed to have been designed by Cartier, the piece is made from 18-carat yellow gold and features a tiny, single emerald at the center of the textured leaves,” jewelry expert Maxwell Stone of Steven Stone revealed to Vanity Fair. “Previously worn by the Queen Mother and Princess Anne, Kate has worn the brooch on several visits to Northern Ireland, as well as to St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.”
“I really couldn’t be prouder to stand in front of you here today,” the princess said in her remarks. “It really is a true honor to be your Colonel. I am here to listen to you, to support you, and to champion you in all you do — this is a responsibility I do not take lightly.”
“I look forward to spending more time with you and your families, seeing your commitment to duty and service in all you do,” she added. “Before I close, however, I want to thank Colonel William. He has always talked about his fierce pride for this Regiment. I know he will continue to support us all in the work we do.”
Prince William, who until recently held the role of honorary Colonel of the regiment before King Charles III appointed his wife, told those in attendance that he was both “extremely happy” to be there for the celebration and sad that his time in the position has come to an end. He now holds the position as the Colonel of the Welsh Guards to go with his Prince of Wales title.
“It has been one of the great honors of my life to hold that title; I’m proud of everything it stands for — just as I’m immensely proud of every single one of you,” he said.
The future king of Britain, who wore a fresh clover arrangement pinned to his military cap, referred to his wife as “Colonel Catherine ‘’ during the event.
The beloved royal couple drank pints of Guinness stout on their visit to Mons Barracks during their visit to Aldershot.
