The Princess of Wales attends the 2025 Irish Guards’ St Patrick’s Day Parade at Wellington Barracks
Samir Hussein
It was a poignant moment for the Princess of Wales: a return to duty as Colonel of the Irish Guards, to take the traditional salute after missing last year’s St Patrick’s Day parade due to her cancer diagnosis. Kate Middleton beamed as she arrived at Wellington Barracks in Westminster, wearing a bottle green coat by Alexander McQueen, which she teamed with a matching Lock and Co. hat in honour of Ireland’s de facto national colour. Pinned to her lapel was the golden shamrock brooch owned by the regiment, which is loaned to royal women taking part in ceremonial duties – but it was another piece of jewellery which caught the eagle eyes of royal fans.
Sparkling at the Princess’ ears was a pair of green tourmaline, green amethyst and diamond earrings, set in gold, which perfectly complemented her outfit while also holding significant meaning. The extraordinary drop earrings hail from royal favourite, Kiki McDonough, and sources previously told Rebecca English that they were designed especially for Kate Middleton to mark the birth of Princess Charlotte. The Princess debuted the earrings on a royal tour of India and Bhutan in 2016, and has since worn them for various engagements, including on St Patrick’s Day in 2018 and 2019. Of course, Kate regularly wears jewellery that references royal lineage, frequently sporting pieces once owned by the late Queen Elizabeth or Princess Diana – but the choice to honour her daughter felt particularly special.
The then Duchess of Cambridge attended a meeting with Prime Minister of India, Narenda Modi, in 2016, debuting her new Kiki McDonough earrings
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Kate has worn the jewels many times since, including to Wimbledon in 2021
Karwai Tang
Kate Middleton has long been a fan of Kiki McDonough’s designs, which have also been favoured by plenty of other royals over the years. ‘It started with the Duchess of York when she got engaged,’ McDonough told HELLO! magazine. ‘She was suddenly thrown into official engagements, and we did some earrings and a necklace for her, which was good because the only way you got on to the map in those days was by word of mouth and magazines.’ Then, Princess Diana followed suit: ‘One morning I was in the kitchen making a cup of coffee and the builder who was working there said, “The Princess of Wales is knocking at the door,” and I said: “Yeah, right – it’s too early for jokes.”’
The designer revealed that she was ‘very grateful’ to Kate for her patronage, adding that ‘like Diana, she understands how she can help British brands by wearing them’. Indeed, the Princess owns a wide selection of earrings and necklaces from the jeweller, which she has worn for events as diverse as Wimbledon, the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Royal Ascot and on the red carpet. It’s fitting, therefore, that she should have chosen a much-loved Kiki McDonough design for her triumphant solo return to the St Patrick’s Day celebrations.
The Princess of Wales looked delighted to attend the parade, during which she greeted officers and guardsmen before taking part in a toast
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Kate was greeted by senior officers of the regiment, which celebrates its 125th anniversary this year, and presented soldiers with medals for long service and good conduct, also giving the traditional sprigs of shamrock to officers and guardsmen. She looked delighted to give the regimental mascot – a shaggy Irish wolfhound named Turlough Mor, or Seamus when not on duty – his own sprig of shamrock. After the parade, the Princess met veterans and army cadets, visiting the junior ranks in the dining hall for a toast in her honour. In a particularly kind gesture, Kate put some money behind the bar, telling the guardsmen it was the ‘least she could do’ in thanks. She even sipped on a half-pint of Guinness, as senior guardsman Barry Loughlin led a call of ‘three cheers for the Colonel in the regiment’.
The Princess presented the regimental mascot – a shaggy Irish wolfhound named Turlough Mor, or Seamus when not on duty – with his own sprig of shamrock
Samir Hussein
After the toast, the Princess chatted with several officers and guardsmen and their children, including Lieutenant Colonel Ben Irwin-Clark, his wife Carice and their son, Rory – a family with whom she seemed to have much in common. ‘You’re six?’ she asked Rory, remarking ‘the same age as my Louis.’ Carice, who also has a daughter in year five, told the Princess: ‘We so often see you at matches because our girls are always playing each other, they are Farleigh and Lambrook, so I think there’s stiff competition.’ The two joked that as the weather warmed up, it was becoming ‘a bit nicer for a spectator’ at their daughters’ sports events.
Kate appeared thrilled to be back on duty at the annual event, which she was forced to miss last year due to her cancer diagnosis. ‘I wanted to write to let you know how proud I am of the entire regiment ahead of the Colonel’s Review and Trooping the Colour. I appreciate everyone Trooping this year has been practising for months, and dedicating many hours to ensure their uniforms and drill are immaculate,’ she said in a statement at the time. ‘Being your Colonel remains a great honour, and I am very sorry that I am unable to take the salute at this year’s Colonel Review. Please pass my apologies to the whole Regiment, however, I do hope I can represent you all again soon.’ This year, she was able to make good on that wish.
