Kate Middleton to Receive Tribute from Irish Guards at St. Patrick’s Day Parade Despite Missing Event

Irish Guardsmen are sending their best wishes to their Colonel Kate Middleton as she recovers from surgery.

The Princess of Wales, 42, often celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with the Guard. But on Sunday, Princess Kate and her husband, Prince William, will miss the annual parade as she continues to recover from abdominal surgery out of the public eye.

The Irish Guard will continue to have the Princess of Wales in their thoughts, a source told PEOPLE, and wish her a speedy recovery. They plan to send her their best wishes and give her three cheers at the end of their celebratory parade at Mons Barracks in Hampshire this weekend, PEOPLE has learned.

Even before Kate became an honorary colonel of the Irish Guards following Queen Elizabeth’s death, she traditionally attended the holiday parade and shared shamrocks alongside Prince William, 41, who was the previous colonel. Queen Elizabeth appointed her grandson an honorary colonel of the Irish Guards in 2011, just two months before Kate and William’s royal wedding, but he became a colonel of the Welsh Guards in 2022, in line with his new title of Prince of Wales.

Kate Middleton Attends St. Patrick’s Day Parade with Irish Guards 2023 Shutterstock Shamrock Chic! See Kate Middleton’s best St. Patrick’s Day looks through the years

Princess Kate’s usual role of issuing shamrocks to guards to attach to their uniforms will be performed by Lady Ghika, wife of the regiment’s colonel, Major General Sir Christopher Ghika. (A British military source points out that historically, a royal is not always on hand to do duty.)

Lady Ghika will step forward to present the shamrock to the officers and warrant officers, who in turn will distribute it by rank.

The parade will conclude with a parade where the Colonel of the Regiment, Major General Sir Christopher Ghika, will take the salute. The ceremony ends with three rousing cheers for their Royal Highness Colonel Kate before the Guards and their families retire for some Guinness and a lively lunch.

This year marks the first time in almost 12 months that the entire contingent of Irish Guards (both Irish Guards Pipes and the regimental mascot, 3-year-old Irish Wolfhound, Seamus) will come together for the parade.

Kate Middleton attends the St. Patrick’s Day parade with the Irish Guards 2023. CHRIS JACKSON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Commanding Officer James Aldridge said in a statement: “St Patrick’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to strengthen the friendships that are so fundamental to the ethos and identity of our regiment.”

He added that they are “very happy” to welcome the soldiers and their families to the parade.

“We will raise a glass to those who are unable to attend this year, especially those deployed in Africa and elsewhere,” he said.

Princess Kate hands out shamrocks at the St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Patrick’s Day in March 2023. Karwai Tang/WireImage The Complete Timeline of Kate Middleton’s Abdominal Surgery and Recovery

The Irish Guards will take center stage again in June when they perform in the annual parade celebrating the British monarch’s birthday, as well as the review the week before. With Princess Kate recovering and King Charles undergoing cancer treatment, it is not yet confirmed which family members will be present on the day, but Kate is expected to return to public duty after Easter.

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Speaking at last year’s parade, Princess Kate said it was a “real honour” to be colonel of the Irish Guards.

Princess Kate and Prince William with the Irish Guard at the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day in March 2023. Samir Hussein/WireImage

“I’m here to listen, support and support you in everything you do – it’s a responsibility I don’t take lightly,” she said.

“I look forward to spending more time with you and your families, I see your dedication to duty and service in everything you do. However, before I finish, I want to thank Colonel William. He has always spoken of his fierce pride for this regiment. I know he will continue to support us all in the work we do,” continued Princess Kate. “Finally, I’d like to wish you all a very happy St. Patrick’s Day.”

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Source: HIS Education