King Charles inspects Kate’s Irish Guards ahead of Trooping the Colour parade as he continues treatment
THE King has presented new colours to Princess Kate’s regiment, the Irish Guards at Windsor Castle today.
Charles inspected the guardsmen and officers on parade before the Chaplain General consecrated the colours with a blessing.
The new colours will be those on show at Trooping the Colour, the King’s official birthday parade in London next weekend.
He is expected to take part in the parade, but will inspect the soldiers from a carriage rather than on horseback, it is understood.
Charles has recently returned to public-facing duties while still receiving treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer.
Colours – adorned with a regiment’s emblems and battle honours – were originally used as rallying points for troops on the battlefield.
They still accompany soldiers on operations and, more visibly, on ceremonial duties.
The presentation of new colours to No 9 and No 12 Company started with the Band of the Irish Guards marching them into Windsor Castle.
They were led by the Irish Guards’ regimental mascot – an Irish wolfhound named Turlough Mor.
The King was accompanied by the Irish Guards Regimental Lieutenant Colonel, Major General Sir Christopher Ghika KCVO CBE.
There was a royal salute and the national anthem was played.
In March 2023, the Princess of Wales took over the role of Colonel of the Irish Guards from husband the Prince of Wales.
Kate sent a letter to the regiment to apologise for not being able to take the salute and to wish them luck for the Colonel’s Review in London on Saturday.
She spoke of her pride in them and added that being Colonel “remains an honour”.