In anticipation of this weekend’s Trooping the Colour, the annual celebration of the British monarch’s birthday, the King presented the Irish Guards with their new flag, known as “colours,” at Windsor Castle on June 10.
The ceremony began with the Band of the Irish Guards marching into the castle’s Quadrangle through the George IV Gate, led by their mascot, an Irish wolfhound named Turlough Mor, affectionately known as “Seamus.”
King Charles Prepares for Birthday Parade with Irish Guards
Each year, the five regiments of the Foot Guards rotate the honor of presenting their flag at Trooping the Colour, and this year it is the Irish Guards’ turn to lead the parade through the streets of London.
Kate Middleton, the honorary Colonel of the Irish Guards, traditionally leads the Colonel’s Review. However, due to her cancer treatment, she was unable to do so on June 8.
The Princess of Wales, 42, expressed her regrets in a heartfelt letter to the regiment.
“I wanted to write and let you know how proud I am of the entire regiment ahead of the Colonel’s Review and Trooping the Colour,” she wrote. “I appreciate everyone trooping this year has been practicing for months and dedicating many hours to ensuring their uniforms and drill are immaculate.”
Kate Middleton’s letter to the Irish Guards. (@irish_guards)
She continued, “Being your colonel remains a great honor, and I am very sorry that I’m unable to take the salute at this year’s Colonel’s Review. Please pass my apologies to the whole Regiment. However, I do hope that I am able to represent you all once again very soon. Please send my very best wishes and good luck to all involved.”
Signing the letter as “Colonel Catherine,” her words were read out to the troops at their barracks and received a round of applause.
The Irish Guards shared the letter on social media, expressing their gratitude: “The Irish Guards were deeply touched to receive a letter from our Colonel, Her Royal Highness, The Princess of Wales this morning. We continue to wish Her Royal Highness well in her recovery and send Her our very best wishes.”
The Princess of Wales has a longstanding relationship with the Irish Guards, even before she was named their honorary colonel in December 2022, following King Charles’s accession to the throne.
Kate has celebrated many St. Patrick’s Day holidays with the regiment since marrying into the royal family in 2011, when her husband, Prince William, held the title of their colonel.
Princess missed the St. Patrick’s Day parade this year due to her illness and recovery from abdominal surgery. Despite her absence, the Irish Guards honored her by giving her three cheers at the end of their parade.
Since announcing her cancer diagnosis on March 22, Princess Kate has remained out of the public eye. It is uncertain whether she will attend Trooping the Colour on June 15 alongside other members of the royal family.
King Charles, who also announced his own cancer diagnosis, will attend Trooping the Colour.
The 75-year-old monarch recently resumed a fuller schedule of royal duties after spending several months working behind the scenes following his public health announcement in February.