Princess of Wales attends St Patrick's Day parade

The Princess of Wales has joined the Irish Guards for their annual St Patrick's Day parade.

Catherine attended in her role as colonel of the regiment at Mons Barracks in Aldershot, Hampshire.

She presented shamrock sprigs to officers and guardsmen and greeted the mascot, the Irish wolfhound Turlough Mor, known as Seamus.

After the parade, the princess presented good conduct and long‑service medals to three soldiers. She later met their families in the officers' mess.

Among them was Lance Sergeant Mills, who led the drums and pipes.

He attended with his wife, Jessica, and their three‑year‑old daughter, Vienna, who jumped up and down with excitement as the princess crouched down to greet her.

Mills said meeting the princess was "such a great opportunity".

He added that leading the musicians was "a big moment" in his career.

Drummer Joseph G.S. Aldridge, who handles Seamus, said Catherine "always loves" greeting the dog.

She pinned a sprig of shamrock to his red coat during the parade.

"She asked how he's doing... he's fit, he's healthy, that's what she wanted to know - how healthy he is. She always loves saying hello to Seamus."

Catherine became colonel of the Irish Guards in December 2022. She succeeded the Prince of Wales.

Now coming to the end of its 125th anniversary year, the Irish Guards regiment was founded by Queen Victoria and has played a key role in Operation Interflex, a UK-led programme providing battlefield skills training to Ukrainian soldiers.