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British RoyalsFeatures

The Royal Family and St. Patrick’s Day Shamrocks

William and Kate, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

Cities across the globe paint the town green and get Guinness out to celebrate St Patrick’s Day on 17 March every year. It is a day and time where people sing, dance, and celebrate all things, Irish.

This is no exception for the Royal Family, which has carried out the tradition of attending the 1st Battalion Irish Guards’ St. Patrick’s Day Parade every year. At the event, traditional sprigs of shamrock are presented to the Officers and Guardsmen of the Regiment, of which the Duke of Cambridge is Colonel of the Regiment.

For 2022, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are set to return to the event for the first time in two years, an event which they have attended on numerous occasions. The pair missed the event in 2020 due to concerns surrounding the global health crisis, and a year later, in 2021, the event was called off altogether. At the time, a majority of the regiment was deployed overseas. The Royal Family did commemorate the holiday by sharing a festive message.

Except in wartime, the presentation is traditionally made by a member of the Royal Family. First performed in 1901 by Queen Alexandra, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother eventually took on the task. Since the latter’s death, the presentation has been made by other members of the Royal Family, including The Princess Royal and the Duchess of Cambridge. On the regiment’s 50th anniversary in 1950, King George VI made the presentation in person.

During the parade, soldiers march onto Parade Square led by their mascot, Irish Wolfhound Domhall to their new base at Cavalry Barracks. After, the Duke presents the shamrock to officers and warrant officers who in turn, issue it along the ranks. In modern times, the parade marks the end of ceremonial duties in London and in Windsor, and marks the start of a busy overseas operational training period for the dual-roled infantry battalion.

About author

My name is Sydney Zatz and I am a University of Iowa graduate. I graduated with a degree in journalism and sports studies, and a minor in sport and recreation management. A highlight of my college career was getting the chance to study abroad in London and experiencing royal history firsthand. I have a passion for royals, royal history, and journalism, which led me to want to write for Royal Central.