The Princess of Wales was named Colonel of the Irish Guards in 2022, but she was a fixture of the holiday parade long before

Kate Middleton is once again celebrating St. Patrick’s Day as “Colonel Catherine.”

The Princess of Wales, in her role as the honorary Colonel of the Irish Guards, marked the March 17 holiday by visiting the regiment at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Mons Barracks.

Catherine, Princess of Wales (R) presents traditional sprigs of shamrock during the 2026 Irish Guards' St. Patrick's Day Parade at Mons Barracks on March 17, 2026 in Aldershot, England.

Kate Middleton visits the Irish Guards.Chris Jackson/Getty

Kate, 44, has regularly attended a St. Patrick’s Day event with the Irish Guards since 2012, often with her husband, Prince William, who previously served as Colonel of the Irish Guards and wore the unit’s scarlet tunic uniform at his royal wedding. However, Kate was named the new Colonel of the Irish Guards in 2022 in a reshuffling of royal roles following King Charles’ accession to the throne that September, and 2025 was the first time she attended the holiday event solo.

Keeping with tradition, Princess Kate presented sprigs of shamrock to the Officers and Guardsmen, as well as their regimental mascot, an Irish Wolfhound. The parade will conclude with a royal salute and march-past, where the Princess of Wales will take the salute as Colonel.

Catherine, Princess of Wales (R) presents traditional sprigs of shamrock during the 2026 Irish Guards' St. Patrick's Day Parade at Mons Barracks on March 17, 2026 in Aldershot, England.

Kate Middleton visits the Irish Guards.Chris Jackson/Getty

Following the parade, Princess Kate will award long service and good conduct medals to soldiers within the regiment, then meet a group of Regimental Association Members of the Irish Guards and the “Mini Micks,” junior cadets from Northern Ireland. She will then join the official Officers’ and Sergeants’ Mess photographs.

After this, Princess Kate will attend the Sergeants’ Mess to meet with members from the regiment and their families, recognizing the important contribution they make to supporting our Armed Forces. Often, the royal will participate in a toast by raising a glass of Guinness.

Catherine, Princess of Wales during the 2026 Irish Guards' St. Patrick's Day Parade at Mons Barracks on March 17, 2026 in Aldershot, England.

Kate Middleton visits the Irish Guards.Samir Hussein/WireImage

The Irish Guards serve a dual role as world-class infantry soldiers, specializing in frontline combat roles, as well as the ceremonial personal bodyguard to the monarch. They are frequently seen guarding Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle.

Catherine, Princess of Wales meets Irish Wolfhound Turlough Mór, the 17th Regimental Mascot of the Irish Guards, during the 2026 Irish Guards' St. Patrick's Day Parade at Mons Barracks on March 17, 2026 in Aldershot, England.

Kate Middleton visits the Irish Guards.Chris Jackson/Getty

Princess Kate’s St. Patrick’s Day outing comes one day before she’s set to help King Charles and Queen Camilla host Nigeria’s president and first lady for a state visit. Kate will join her husband, Prince William, in being the first royals to greet the couple before a ceremonial welcome at Windsor Castle.

On Wednesday evening, the royals will attend a state banquet that calls for tuxedos, ballgowns and tiaras.