Kate Middleton reveals what she really thinks about William’s beard as she sips Guinness

The Princess of Wales joined the Irish Guards today for their annual St Patrick’s Day parade today where she handed out traditional sprigs of shamrock – and even joined them in a toast with some Guinness

The Princess of Wales sipped Guinness as she celebrated St Patrick’s Day with the Irish Guards – and revealed what she really thinks of her husband Prince William’s beard. Kate is the colonel of the Irish Guards and she joined them for their annual St Patrick’s Day parade after missing the event last year as she was recovering from abdominal surgery and had also received her cancer diganosis.

The princess handed the regiments their traditional sprigs of shamrock and also petted the regiment’s mascot, an Irish wolfhound called Turlough Mor. After taking the salute, the princess then headed into the barracks where the soldiers proposed a toast in her honour – and she sipped a half pint of Guinness before chatting to soldiers and their families.

Kate chatted to Irish Guardsmen and their families in the Sergeants’ Mess at Wellington Barracks after putting money behind the bar for them to celebrate St Patrick’s Day.

She told Corporal Adam Hamilton, an Australian reservist: “George finds it fascinating that he has been to Australia and New Zealand.

“I would like to go back there with them now. It’s finding time to do that. But I love to travel – yes, it’s a long flight. But I love the Middle East because that’s familiar to me (from) growing up. There are so many opportunities now to travel, I think it’s brilliant to experience it.

“We tend to go further afield when it’s official visits, it’s being able to carve out time to experience these countries in a more private capacity. Because otherwise you end up seeing lots of insides of amazing buildings but you don’t get to meet that many.. people. It’s making sure that you can combine a bit of work with… the children. I might see you down there!”

The Princess, who wore a bottle green coat and matching hat with a gold shamrock brooch of the Irish Guards, was also asked where she and her family lived.

“We are in Windsor at the moment,” she replied. “We were in London but moved there for more green space. It’s close enough to London, not too far away.” The Princess also chatted to section commanders in the bar about her husband’s beard, which he has been sporting since the summer. “These trends come and go,” she said. “I was saying to my husband, I’m not sure how long he’s going to keep his for.”

Told that Noah Hogan, seven, whose father John is Company Sergeant Major, was a keen footballer, she replied: “Our kiddies play football. Do Mummy and Daddy come and watch? Do you like the idea of being in the Army too?”

She chatted to his brother Lucas, 12, saying: “You’re the same age as George. So you haven’t got exams this year?” Told he has just joined the Army cadets, she said: “You get to try so many different things there. Within the military, there are so many career different paths you can take. It’s so exciting.

“Actually it’s one of the things that I’m very keen to support, that recruitment side.” Before the parade at Wellington Barracks in central London, Kate, dressed in a bottle-green coat and percher hat, presented operational medals to soldiers recently deployed in Iraq, recognising their service overseas.

She also awarded long service and good conduct medals to two soldiers during a ceremony in the officers’ mess. The princess then joined the regiment for their traditional parade, taking her place on the saluting dais as soldiers from Number 9 Company, Number 12 Company and the Rear Operations Group marched onto the parade square, led by Turlough Mor.

Following tradition, Kate handed out sprigs of shamrock to officers, warrant officers and the mascot. Huge crowds braved the biting cold to gather at the gates of Wellington Barracks and catch a glimpse of the ceremony.

Kate, who is colonel of the regiment, missed the Guards’ celebrations last year after being diagnosed with cancer. Last time she took part in the parade was in 2023, when she visited the Irish Guards on St Patrick’s Day with Prince William at Mons Barracks in Aldershot, Hampshire, after taking over the role of colonel from her husband. Last year, the guardsman gave three cheers for their absent colonel while the princess was away from public duties.