The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are braving the chilly conditions to celebrate St Patrick’s Day today by attending a parade of the Irish Guards.
Prince William, who is Colonel of the Irish Guards, and heavily pregnant Kate are visiting the 1st Battalion at their base in Hounslow, west London.
They watched 350 soldiers arrive on the Parade Square before presenting traditional shamrocks to officers and guardsmen.
Prince William, who is Colonel of the Irish Guards, (left in black uniform) and heavily pregnant Kate are seen visiting the Irish Guards at their base in Hounslow, west London, to celebrate St Patrick’s Day
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who is due to give birth in the next few weeks, (left) braved the chilly conditions to present Irish Guardsmen with shamrocks (right)
The royal couple watched 350 soldiers arrive on the Parade Square before presenting traditional shamrocks to officers and guardsmen
Irish wolfhound Domhnall, who the royals have met before, is expected to lead the procession in his role as mascot. The regiment will then continue a march-past, with William taking the salute.
It is expected that the festivities will be held in testing conditions, as temperatures plummet towards zero and snowfall makes a surprise return.
The festivities are being held in testing conditions, as temperatures plummet towards zero and there is a good chance of snowfall before the day is out
After the presentation and parade William and Kate will finish their visit at the Guardsman’s lunch, where the longest-serving guardsman is to propose a toast to the royals and thank the duchess for presenting the shamrock
The Irish Guards will be well prepared for the downturn, having recently conducted the Changing of the Guard in the heavy snow during Storm Emma.
William and Kate will escape the cold by finishing their visit at the Guardsman’s lunch, where the longest-serving guardsman is to propose a toast to the royals and thank the duchess for presenting the shamrock.
The Duke of Cambridge last year sipped on a pint of Guinness as a nod to the tradition of the day.
The couple are expecting their third child by the end of April.