Kate to miss St Patrick's Day military celebrations as she recovers from surgery
The Princess of Wales, who is Colonel of the Irish Guards, will miss this year's St Patrick's Day military parades as she recovers from her recent abdominal surgery.
Kate is expected to remain in hospital for up to 14 days and will be unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter.
Kensington Palace said: "The Princess of Wales wishes to apologise to all those concerned for the fact that she has to postpone her upcoming engagements.
"She looks forward to reinstating as many as possible, as soon as possible.”
Kate officially became Colonel of the Irish Guards, a role previously held by her husband the Prince of Wales, last year.
The royal couple marked the official handover in March 2023 at a St Patrick's Day Parade at Mons Barracks in Aldershot, Hampshire, during which Kate commented on the Irish Guards' "boundless, irreverent, glorious sense of humour".
She added: "I really couldn't be prouder to stand in front of you here today.
"It really is a true honour to be your Colonel. I am here to listen to you, to support you and to champion you in all you do – this is a responsibility I do not take lightly.
"Last week I took the opportunity to visit some of you on Salisbury Plain to see your inspiring work for myself.
"The day was bitterly cold, and while displaying your skills to yet another visitor was probably the last thing any of you wanted to do, all I saw was enthusiasm, pride and incredible dedication.
"I was hugely impressed with your insistence that nothing is as bad as it seems, and most of all your boundless, irreverent, glorious sense of humour.
"That's what makes you who you are and what makes the Irish Guards unique.
"I look forward to spending more time with you and your families, seeing your commitment to duty and service in all you do."
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