Lots of thought goes intoKate Middleton’s outfit choices — and her St. Patrick’s Day ensemble for herholiday debutas thenew honorary Colonel of the Irish Guardswas no exception.
Keeping with a long-running tradition, Kate andPrince Williamstepped out to visit the Irish Guards at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Aldershot on Friday. While the Princess of Wales usually marks the eventwearing green, the color most closely associated with the holiday, she made a surprising decision to wear a teal Catherine Walker & Co coat dress with matching accessories for the occasion this year.
Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales on St Patrick’s Day 2023.Andrew Matthews/PA Images via Getty
In June,blue was the color of choicefor the royal family as they kicked offQueen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations with Trooping the Colour.Queen Elizabethstepped onto the Buckingham Palace balcony wearing St. Patrick’s blue, a nod to the original symbolic color of Ireland which can also be representative of sovereignty. Many royal women also opted for shades of blue to coordinate with the monarch.
Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales.ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty
Karen Haller, behavioral color psychologist andThe Little Book of Colorauthor, previously spoke toMyLondonabout the royal family’s typical blue outfits, noting it shows that “they are coming together as a family, representing themselves as a cohesive unit.”
“When it comes to color psychology, darker blues communicates you are in a position of authority, trustworthy, reliable and can be depended on,” Haller told the outlet. “You have a sense of duty and take that seriously with committed focus.”
Queen Elizabeth at Trooping the Colour 2022.Chris Jackson/Getty
For the St. Patrick’s Day parade, Princess Kate also chose meaningful accessories. In addition to sporting diamond and emerald earrings, giving her outfit a touch of classic green, she sported a special shamrock brooch featuring a small emerald in the center.
Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales.Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images
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Kate’s coat dress also mirrored the Irish Guards' uniform with four buttons down the front then a gap before four more buttons.
Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images
BothPrince Williamand Princess Kate gave speeches at the event, highlighting the transition in the royal roles. King Charles recently named his daughter-in-law as the newhonorary Colonel of the regiment, and she takes over the role fromPrince William, who is now the equivalent of the Welsh Guards to go with his Prince of Wales title.
The Prince of Wales said, “Whilst I am extremely happy to be here celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with you once again, I’m incredibly sad to be giving this speech, as it really does mean my time as your Colonel has come to an end. It has been one of the great honors of my life to hold that title; I’m proud of everything it stands for — just as I’m immensely proud of every single one of you.”
He also poked some fun at himself and the tradition of toasting the holiday with a pint of beer.
“On this, my 13th and final St. Patrick’s Day as Colonel, not only am I saddened that I’ll likely fail once again to finish a pint of Guinness… but I am also sad that I won’t in future see more of you, the families, whose unwavering support enables these outstanding men and women to do what they do,“Prince William, 40, said.
Kate, who her husband referred to as “Colonel Catherine” in his speech, said her new role was a “true honor.”
Prince William and Kate Middleton.CHRIS JACKSON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
“I really couldn’t be prouder to stand in front of you here today. It really is a true honor to be your Colonel. I am here to listen to you, to support you, and to champion you in all you do – this is a responsibility I do not take lightly,” she said.
“I look forward to spending more time with you and your families, seeing your commitment to duty and service in all you do. Before I close, however, I want to thank Colonel William. He has always talked about his fierce pride for this Regiment. I know he will continue to support us all in the work we do,” Princess Kate, 41, continued. “Finally, I would like to wish you all, a very happy St. Patrick’s Day.”
Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales.ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images
Kate took part in the traditional distribution of shamrock sprigs, which the guards pin to their tunics. Also getting a sprig of the Irish bloom was the regimental mascot, Irish wolfhound Turlough Mor, who is known as Seamus.
The parade ended with Princess Kate receiving a royal salute as the troops marched past.
source: people.com
