Princess of Wales praised as an ‘inspiration’ on International Women’s Day

The Princess of Wales impressed soldiers and royal fans alike as she showed off her skills during a military training drill today at the Salisbury Plain Training Area.

Kate, 41, attended the site as part of her first official duty as the new Colonel of the Irish Guards – which happened to collide with International Women’s Day.

As she was pictured working hard carrying out the casualty drills, royal fans said she was an ‘inspiration’, while those teaching her were equally gushing about her dedication.

After the Prince and Princess of Wales posted photos of Kate at the site on Instagram, royal fans said she was the perfect role model on International Women’s Day.

And a Lieutenant Colonel of ‘The Micks’ (as they are affectionately known) at the site added she was an ‘inspiring’ woman.

Mother-of-three Kate arrived in a green combat uniform with the rank of colonel, and was kitted out in khaki trousers and practical walking boots.

During her visit, she was pictured getting stuck into a battlefield casualty drill. Crouching in the snow, she held the soldier’s leg as she was shown how to wrap the wound and check the casualty’s vital signs during basic battlefield first aid training.

As she placed a tourniquet – used to stop heavy bleeding – on his calf, the Princess apologised and said: ‘It’s the first time I’ve done this.’

Lance Corporal Jodie Newell, 25, who was in charge of teaching the Princess first aid, said: ‘I was so nervous – I’m teaching the Princess of Wales med [medicine] – it was an honour.

Kate practised a military casualty drill in which she learnt how to dress wounds of injured soldiers

Royal fans praised Kate as an ‘inspiration to many women’ on International Women’s Day as she attended the training site

‘We were just showing her what we medics do in the Army. She was actually really good, really eager to take part.’ 

L/Cpl Newell added that Kate took it ‘all in her stride, like she has done it before’ and that it was ‘amazing’ to have her visit the training area, particularly on International Women’s Day.

Afterwards the Princess said that taking part in military first aid exercises brought the realities of their training ‘to life’.

Kate heard first-hand about the work members of the battalion have undertaken recently, including meeting guardsmen who have been deployed on security work in Africa, which includes training park rangers on counter-poaching operations. 

She also received a briefing on counter-explosive ordnance – the de-mining training being delivered by the Irish Guards to Ukrainian armed forces.

Finally, she viewed several of the different types of weapons used by the Irish Guards.

Lieutenant Colonel Aldridge said his battalion was delighted to welcome Kate to Salisbury Plain for her first visit as Royal Colonel.

He said: ‘It is particularly fitting on International Women’s Day that a few of our female soldiers met such an inspiring female role model.

‘It is a real honour for all the guardsmen to meet their Royal Colonel in the field here on Salisbury Plain and demonstrate a few of our basic operational skills.’

After photos of Kate’s visit were posted on the Prince and Princess of Wales’s Instagram account, royal fans showered her with praise as an inspiration to women everywhere.

One fan said Kate was ‘a real role model for our daughters’.

Another agreed and said: ‘What an incredible woman and inspiration. Truly leads by example for her children and the world.’

One particular royal fan commented on Kate’s fabulous combat chic look, and asked: ‘How is she so effortlessly cool?’