Duchess of Edinburgh meets Royal Irish Regiment soldiers for St Patrick's Day
The Duchess of Edinburgh met soldiers and cadets from the Royal Irish Regiment after seeing them mark St Patrick’s Day with a parade in Lisburn.
This was the first visit by Her Royal Highness to 2nd Battalion the Royal Irish Regiment as Colonel-in-Chief since being handed the role last August.
The Colonel-in-Chief presented a shamrock to Sergeant George Horner, a D-Day veteran, followed by officers and warrant officers of the regiment.
"It is such an honour to have Her Royal Highness present at our parade today to present shamrocks to our Rangers, veterans and cadets, and to meet our families," the Commanding Officer of 2 R Irish said.
"It is very much a family day for the regiment, and it was great to have our new Colonel-in-Chief share the day with the regimental family in Northern Ireland."
Following the parade, Sophie met the beloved R Irish mascot Brian Boru X, affectionately known as Conri.
The Royal Irish Regiment is the only Irish infantry regiment of the line in the British Army, with 1st Battalion being based in Ternhill, Shropshire, and 2nd Battalion based in Lisburn.
The Duchess also holds the title of Royal Colonel of The Queen's Own Yeomanry, a light cavalry reserve regiment in the British Army based in Fox Barracks, Chester.
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