In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, Prince William and Duchess Kate raised glasses of Guinness to toast the Irish Guards.
William, the future king, and his wife Kate celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with the Irish Guards yesterday by raising glasses of Guinness.
Kate, now 41 years old, officially took over as Colonel of the Welsh Guards from her husband, the Prince of Wales.
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She made sure the rain couldn’t dampen anyone’s spirits as she gave the traditional first salute on the parade ground in Aldershot, Hants.
After that, she and William, who is 40, went to the Junior Ranks dining hall to celebrate with the other guests.
It was one of the great honors of my life to serve as your Colonel,” Wills said in a speech to the guardsmen.
Aside from that, he said, “I may be stepping aside, but in Colonel Catherine you have a committed, focused, and already incredibly loyal 11th Colonel.
Know that I will be keeping a close eye on you all as you serve together in the years to come, and that I will feel an immense sense of pride at having once been counted among you.
Kate, who went umbrella-less despite the rain, said, “I really couldn’t be prouder to stand in front of you here today.
“It really is a true honour to be your Colonel.
Whenever you need someone to listen, cheer you on, and have your back, I will be there for you. I do not take this obligation lightly.
She praised them for their “boundless, irreverent, glorious sense of humor” and the way they had inspired her.
Warrant Officer Second Class Alistair Wigley’s two daughters, Aoife, 6, and Alice, 4, presented the princess with bouquets of flowers.
She thanked them while bending down and told them, “You both look gorgeous.”
The Senior Guardsman then proposed a toast with Guinness to Kate and William in the rowdy dining hall, where they were met with three cheers.
William had a pint, and Kate had a half.
After 13 years, Wills said his goodbyes to his coworkers at their respective tables. At one point he wished them well and encouraged them to stay in touch. And best wishes on this, St. Patrick’s Day!
Guardsman Charlie Aldred, 19, drank with the prince and reported that, “He said he was going to miss our noise and humour and that we are really laid back but still got the job done.”
A week prior, on a snowy Salisbury Plain, Kate had joined the Irish Guards while disguised in camouflage.
