Kate Middleton’s glamorous St Patrick’s Day Parade outfits – and heel mishap

For the past decade, the Princess of Wales has taken part in the tradition of handing out shamrock to the Irish Guards on St Patrick’s Day.

Wearing the celebratory green, she has attended the St Patrick’s Day parade eight times, meeting officers, indulging in a sip of Guinness and even playing with the Guards’ mascot – a friendly Irish wolfhound.

Despite an awkward high heel mishap and a fainting guard, the princess has consistently brought glamour and her beaming smile to the festivities over the years.

For her first parade in 2012, which was also her first solo military engagement,Kate sported an elegant emerald green coat by Emilia Wickstead paired with a chocolate brown Lock & Co hat.

And unfortunately a soldier collapsed while wearing his hot scarlet uniform as the servicemen met the Duchess

As part of the century-old custom, Kate handed out sprigs of shamrock to the Officers and Guardsmen which were then distributed among the ranks, keeping calm after one officer fainted in his uniform and bearskin hat.

The glowing princess wore the same coat the following year to cover her growing baby bump, this time styling the look with a black roll neck and matching black hat.

But Kate had to reach for her husband’s Prince William’s assistance when her black suede high heels got trapped in a grate. 

Prince William lent an arm as the unfazed princess twisted her stiletto out of the drain and she carried on, sharing anecdotes about her impending motherhood with the guards, telling one: ‘I’d like to have a boy and William would like a girl.’

2013: The princess has dealt with a number of mishaps at parades over the years, including getting her heel stuck in a grate

The princess can also be spotted giving a cluster of shamrock to the Irish Guards’ friendly mascot – an Irish wolfhound

On each of her St Patrick’s parade appearances, Kate has decorated her outfit with a delicate gold shamrock brooch by Cartier, loaned by the Irish Guards regiment.

The accessory was worn by the Queen Mother during her appearances with the Irish Guards on St Patrick’s Day and later Princess Anne, who took over the role after the Queen Mother’s death.

The princess caused controversy after choosing not to attend the parade in 2016, opting to spend time with her children, leaving Prince William to hand out the shamrock alone. 

2014: Kate has donned  a cluster of shamrock and a gold shamrock brooch for her St Patrick’s Day appearances

2015: The Princess of Wales distributes shamrock to the Irish Guards during her visit (pictured when she was pregnant with Princess Charlotte)

2017: After missing the parade in 2016, Kate made a glamorous return the following year wearing a flattering double breasted bespoke coat by Catherine Walker with statement gold buttons

But she returned with enthusiasm in 2017, wearing a flattering double breasted bespoke coat by Catherine Walker with statement gold buttons and celebrating with a pint of Guinness.

Kate has met an array of adorable dogs during her time attending the parades, each year being introduced to an Irish wolfhound, the regiment’s mascot, to present them with their own sprig of shamrock.

2018: Kate showed off her baby bump again wearing a green fur-lined Catherine Walker coat with Gina Foster hat. She gave birth to Louis weeks later

2019: Kate returned to her favourite brand Alexander McQueen for the parade sporting a green coat from the label with a matching pillbox hat by Lock & Co

2022: Last year Kate wore a £3,200 Laura Green London dress to visit the guards in Hampshire

Handing the clover to the Irish Guards has been carried out on St Patrick’s Day by female members of the royal family since 1901, when Queen Alexandra began the tradition. 

The custom was continued by the Queen Mother until her death, who even missed her favourite day at Cheltenham to attend the parade, and then Princess Anne.

After her marriage to Prince William in 2011, the duty fell to Kate to carry on the tradition as her husband was the royal colonel of the Irish Guards.

However in a shuffling of positions after the Queen’s death last year, Kate was herself made colonel of the Irish Guards, taking over from her husband in her first Army role, as he was to become the colonel of the Welsh Guards instead.