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17th March 2024
09:53am GMT
Catherine, Princess of Wales, will be honoured at today's St Patricks Day parade, as she continues to recover from an operation she underwent earlier this year.
Kate, who became the honorary Colonel of the Irish Guards last year, will miss the event at the Mons Barracks in Aldershot, Hampshire for the first time in seven years.
According to PEOPLE magazine, the soldiers at the barracks are planning to honour her with three cheers towards the end of their march.
Prince William is also expected to be absent from the occasion.
Last year, Kate was pictured at the parade in a turquoise coat alongside her husband. She drank Guinness and addressed members of the Irish Guards.
"I really couldn't be prouder to stand in front of you here today," she said.
"It really is a true honour to be your Colonel. 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.
"I look forward to spending more time with you and your families, seeing your commitment to duty and service in all you do."
The Princess hasn't been seen publicly since the annual walk to church on Christmas Day.
The mum-of-three underwent abdominal surgery in January and has reportedly been recovering at her home Adelaide Cottage since she was discharged from hospital.
However, the 42-year-old was ridiculed online last week when she admitted to 'manipulating' a Mother's Day photograph that had been posted to the official Prince and Princess of Wales Instagram account.
The photograph showed the Princess with her three children – Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and Prince George.
A number of international news agencies pointed out an “inconsistency in alignment of Princess Charlotte’s left hand” in the image, and it was removed from circulation.
In a statement released the following day, the Princess of Wales apologised for “any confusion” the photo has caused.
"Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing," the statement read.
"I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused.
"I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother’s Day. C."
Even before Kate became honorary Colonel of the Irish Guards following the death of Queen Elizabeth, she traditionally attended the holiday parade and handed out shamrocks alongside Prince William, 41, who was the previous Colonel.
Queen Elizabeth named her grandson as honorary Colonel of the Irish Guards in 2011, just two months before Kate and William's royal wedding, but he became Colonel of the Welsh Guards in 2022, coordinating with his new title as the Prince of Wales.
Princess Kate's usual role of issuing the shamrocks for the guards to pin on their uniforms will be carried out by Lady Ghika, wife of the Regimental Lieutenant Colonel, Major General Sir Christopher Ghika.
Irish Guards Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel James Aldridge in a statement, "St. Patrick’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to strengthen the friendships that are so fundamental to our Regimental ethos and identity."
He added that they were "really looking forward" to welcoming the soldiers and their families to the parade.
"We will raise a glass to those unable to attend this year, especially those deployed in Africa and elsewhere," he said.
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