She had not missed a St. Patrick's Day parade since 2012. Kate Middleton, recovering following major abdominal surgery last January, was unable to attend the festivities on March 17.
An absence which was however announced a few days ago, Kensington Palace even recalling that Princess Wales' media retreat should continue after the Easter holidays.
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Physically absent from the traditional parade of the 1st battalion of the Irish Guards which was held in Aldershot, England, the wife of Prince William was, however, very present in the spirit of the infantry regiment.
As proof, its members had reserved a touching tribute to him, offering him their best wishes and cheering him three times at the end of this annual event.
In a video, we can see the guards removing their famous
bearskin
headdress before launching three volleys of “hip hip hooray” at the attention of their lieutenant-colonel.
“Slàinte Mhath” to all those celebrating
It was in 2022 that the Princess of Wales was appointed lieutenant-colonel of the corps created in 1900 by Queen Victoria.
The mother of George, Charlotte and Louis had also planned a little wink to make up for her absence: a video of the parade rehearsals posted on the Instagram account that she shares with her husband.
“Happy St. Patrick’s Day!”, the couple’s approximately 15 million followers could read under the publication.
“Here's a look at the Irish Guards' rehearsals for their annual parade.
“Slàinte Mhath” to everyone celebrating today!”
“A true honor to be your colonel”
In 2022, during previous St. Patrick's Day celebrations, the Princess of Wales said she "couldn't be more proud to be standing here", recalls the
Daily Mail
.
“It is truly a true honor to be your colonel.
I am here to listen to you, support you and advocate for you in everything you do.
“It’s a responsibility that I don’t take lightly,” she assured.
Prince William, also absent from this 2024 edition of the parade, for his part confided that being colonel of the Irish Guards had been one of the “great honors of his life”.
A responsibility that he then entrusted to his wife in September 2022.
A year later, the atmosphere has changed a lot.
Wales is today at the heart of rumors of divorce among other theories fueled by the publication, on March 10, of a crudely retouched family portrait.