The Princess of Wales says she wants to take her children to Australia and New Zealand now they are a bit older.
Kate was chatting 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 during the annual parade.
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.
WATCH: Princess Kate arrives for first solo St Patrick’s Day parade
“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 by Alexander McQueen and a matching hat with a gold shamrock Cartier 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.”
© GettyThe Princess also chatted to section commanders in the bar about her husband’s beard.
“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, 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: “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.”
See the best photos from the parade below…
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© Mulholland/WPA Pool/ShutterstockThree cheers
Earlier the Princess drank from a half pint of Guinness as Guardsman Barry Loughlin raised a toast to her as royal colonel in the Dining Room.
“If you have a drink, stand with me now,” he said, “Bit quicker boys,” he joked.
“Three cheers for the Colonel of the regiment,” he said.
Kate sipped her drink after the three cheers rang out then headed over to meet Barry’s partner Georgia Wills and son Regan.
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© Alamy Stock PhotoColonel of the regiment
Barry said of the Princess: “She just wanted to find out how everything’s going. She’s really nice in that respect, she doesn’t just disappear. She’s warm and you feel welcomed by her.”
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© Getty ImagesWarm welcome
Kate, who was attending the St Patrick’s Day Parade for the first time since 2023, was all smiles as she arrived at Wellington Barracks, where crowds of tourists had lined up along the perimeter fence to watch.
She was greeted by Major General Sir Chris Ghika and Lt Col Ben Irwin-Clark and met their wives and other senior officers inside.
The event is particularly special this year as the regiment celebrates its 125th anniversary.
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© Getty ImagesSymbolic brooch
Leaning down to shake hands with Rory Irwin-Clark, Kate commented that the youngster was the same age as Prince Louis, born in 2018.
“We so often see you at matches because our girls are always playing each other, they are Farleigh and Lambrook, so I think there’s stiff competition,” said his mother Carice, who has a daughter in year five.
“I was just saying, they’re doing so much, sporting events,” replied Kate.
“Now it’s getting a bit warmer, it’s a bit nicer for a spectator,” joked Carice.
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© GettyRoyal return
Kate handed out long service and good conduct medals to Colour Sergeant Healy, Sgt Ben Beavis, Sgt Kristian Pooley and the Operation Shader medal to Sgt Jamie Davies, before heading out onto the Parade Ground.
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© Getty ImagesSmiling Kate
After taking the salute on the dais, she handed out shamrocks to Guardsmen and officers before finally presenting a sprig to the regimental mascot Turlough Mor, an Irish wolfhound known as Seamus.
