Prince William and Kate Middleton marked their first St. Patrick’s Day event since Kate’s appointment as Colonel of the Irish Guard, and Kate’s outfit choice caused quite a stir. The Duchess of Cambridge surprised everyone with a bold new look that stood out from her typical St. Patrick’s Day style.
Kate wore a beautiful teal coat dress that perfectly complemented her elegant sense of style. The coat dress had a classic and timeless design, which was enhanced by the high-quality fabric and attention to detail.
Kate completed her look with stylish suede heels and a matching hat, adding a touch of sophistication to her overall appearance. Her outfit was a refreshing departure from the usual green ensembles worn on St. Patrick’s Day, and it was clear that she had put a lot of thought into her fashion choices for this special occasion as she emulated military dress.
The event marked a significant transition for the royal couple, as Kate, 41, assumed her new role as the honorary Colonel of the regiment, a title which was bestowed upon her by King Charles. Prince William, 40, previously held this position, but he was recently appointed as the equivalent for the Welsh Guard to go along with his Prince of Wales title.
During the event, both Prince William and Kate gave speeches, with William bidding a farewell while Kate expressed her gratitude for the privilege of being named “Colonel Catherine,” as referred to by her husband. In her speech, she emphasized the true honor of the position and the significance of the role she was now undertaking.
“Whilst I am extremely happy to be here celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with you once again, I’m incredibly sad to be giving this speech, as it really does mean my time as your Colonel has come to an end,” William. “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 added, “On this, my 13th and final St. Patrick’s Day as Colonel, not only am I saddened that I’ll likely fail once again to finish a pint of Guinness. But I am also sad that I won’t in future see more of you, the families, whose unwavering support enables these outstanding men and women to do what they do.”
On the other hand, Kate delivered a speech of her own, expressing her deep appreciation for the Irish Guard and the opportunity to serve them. Her words conveyed a strong sense of respect and admiration for the regiment and their important role in protecting the nation’s interests.
“I really couldn’t be prouder to stand in front of you here today. It really is a true honor to be your Colonel,” Kate said. “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.”
She continued, “I look forward to spending more time with you and your families, seeing your commitment to duty and service in all you do. 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. Finally, I would like to wish you all, a very happy St. Patrick’s Day.”
Since her marriage to Prince William in 2011, Kate has often participated in parades with the Irish Guard. However, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a temporary hiatus in their participation, resulting in a couple of years of missed festivities. Nevertheless, the event resumed its usual celebratory activities last year, and Kate was once again present to participate and honor the Irish Guard.