Kate Middleton Honored With Three-Cheer Military Salute After Missing St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Kate Middleton missed her annual apperance in the St. Patrick’s Day parade, but the Irish Guards did not forget to honor their absent colonel.

The Princess of Wales chose to stay home for the holiday as she continues to recover from abdominal surgery. In past years, she had been a mainstay in the military ceremony.

In 2022, Kate was named the honorary Colonel of the Irish Guards. And last year, she took over Prince William’s duty of presenting guard members with shamrocks. She had planned to continue that tradition. But this year, Lady Ghika, wife of Lieutenant Colonel Major General Sir Christopher Ghika, stood in her place.

Kate may have been absent, but she was not forgotten. Before the St. Patrick’s Day ceremony ended, the guards paid tribute to her with a touching three cheers salute.

“In keeping with tradition wherever they are in the world the @irish_guards give a rousing three cheers for the Colonel of the Regiment HRH the Princess of Wales at their St Patrick’s Day Parade in Aldershot,” The British Army in London wrote alongside a video on X.

Kate Middleton has not made a public apperance since Christmas Day. According to the palace, she underwent abdominal surgery on Jan. 16, and after spending two weeks in the hospital, she returned home and has been recovering there ever since.

Some have speculated that the princess will make her first apperance during her family’s traditional Easter church outing this March 31. However, the palace issued a statement saying that it “is unlikely” that Kate will “return to public duties until after Easter.”

You can find the source of this story’s featured image here.