The Duchess of Cambridge celebrates St. Patrick's Day in elegant emerald green
Fresh from attending the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey on Monday, the Duchess of Cambridge cut an elegant figure in dark teal green as she joined Prince William on military duty for their annual visit to the Irish Guards on Thursday.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited the 1st Battalion Irish Guards at the Mons Barracks to attend the St. Patrick's Day Parade there for the first time in two years, since the Covid-19 pandemic began.
Kate, 40, wore a Laura Green London coat dress, in an appropriate emerald green for the day out in Aldershot. She looked the picture of elegance as she took part in the centuries-old tradition of handing out sprigs of shamrock to the Officers and Guardsmen of the Irish Guards, of which Prince William is Colonel.
As is customary, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were greeted by the regiment mascot, a two-year-old Irish wolfhound called Turlough Mor, also known as Seamus. The Duchess was seen stroking the head of the Irish wolfhound as she presented him with his own sprig of shamrock to mark the occasion.
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The “Emilia” style coat from the British designer features a slightly exaggerated collar, cinched belted waist and military-inspired detailing, much like the designs that Kate has worn in previous years for the event.
The mother-of-three complemented her £3,200 Laura Green London dress with coordinating emerald accessories, including a Mayfair pillbox hat by Lock & Co and a shamrock brooch for the Irish holiday. The gold shamrock brooch looks to have been borrowed from Queen Elizabeth, who in turn inherited the piece from her own mother’s collection.
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However, the brooch is unique in that it is reportedly not actually owned by the royal family. James Wilson, author of Up the Micks! An Illustrated History of the Irish Guards which features a foreword by the Duke of Cambridge, wrote that the piece was crafted by Cartier and then presented to Princess Mary, the Princess Royal, by the Irish Guards in 1961.
When Princess Mary passed away, the brooch was returned to the regiment, and is lent to the royals on such occasions like the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Kate had her signature brunette locks swept into a low bun and kept her make-up simple for the special day out, a calendar date being celebrated by many others across the UK.
Watch: Royals attend Commonwealth Day service without the Queen