The Duchess of Cambridge is to present shamrocks to the 1st Battalion Irish Guards on March 17 at the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade at Cavalry Barracks in Hounslow.
St. Patrick’s Day is a traditional regimental celebration for the Irish Guards, and is marked by the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and a presentation of shamrocks.
350 soldiers will march onto the Parade Square at Cavalry Barracks led by their mascot, the Irish Wolfhound Domhnall.
The Duchess will then step forward to present the shamrock to Officers and Warrant Officers, who will in turn issue it along the ranks.
The parade will conclude with a march-past where the Duke of Cambridge will take the salute.
The Royal Family have been presenting shamrocks to the Irish Guards – except during wartime – since 1901 when Queen Alexandra began the tradition. Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother took up the tradition, and upon her death, the Princess Royal handed out shamrocks.
The Duchess of Cambridge began handing out shamrocks in 2012, and has ever since, except, controversially, when she skipped the ceremony in 2016.
