June 10, 2024: King Charles III reviews the Irish Guards during a ceremony where he presents New Colours to No 9 and No 12 Company The Irish Guards at Windsor Castle in Windsor, England.Getty Images
The Irish Guards were presented with new colors today, Monday, June 10, by King Charles as the Princess of Wales continues her cancer treatment.
The Irish Guards will carry the new colors (ceremonial flags embodying a regiment) in the Trooping of the Colour at the King's official Birthday Parade in London on Saturday, June 15.
During the ceremony on Monday, the Band of the Irish Guards, led by Regimental Mascot, an Irish wolfhound named Turlough Mor after an ancient High King of Ireland but affectionately known as Seamus, marched the troops into the world’s oldest occupied castle in front of 200 friends and family members.
Recognizable on ceremonial operations by the St. Patrick’s blue of the plumes in their bearskins, the Irish Guards traditionally comprise troops from Ireland, Northern Ireland, Liverpool, and Birmingham, as well as Fiji, the wider Commonwealth, and the rest of the UK.
The Colours form part of the Irish Guards’ legacy, representing those that have fought and died for the Regiment.
? To this day, they accompany soldiers on operations and, more visibly, on ceremonial duties. pic.twitter.com/tPVIANjlZR
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) June 10, 2024
Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, became Colonel of the Irish Guards in March 2023. As Colonel, she would normally take part in the Colonel's Review (which was on June 8 this year) but Kensington Palace confirmed on May 30 that she would not be attending.
After weeks of speculation, Middleton confirmed in March that she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
On June 3, the Princess issued a letter to the Irish Guards ahead of apologizing for not being able to attend the Colonel's Review and the presentation of new colors as she continues cancer treatment.
“I wanted to write and let you know how proud I am of the entire Regiment ahead of the Colonel’s Review and Trooping the Colour," she wrote.
"I appreciate everyone trooping this year has been practicing for months, and dedicating many hours to ensuring their uniforms and drills are immaculate.
"Being your Colonel remains a great honor, and I am very sorry that I’m unable to take the salute at this year’s Colonel’s Review."
Lt Col James Shaw, Brigade Major of Household Division, said afterward: “We totally understand, and our thoughts and best wishes are with Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales.
"We were even more determined to make the Colonel’s Review the best yet, for Her.
"We are so proud to have The Princess of Wales as the Colonel of the Irish Guards.”
The Irish Guards were deeply touched to receive a letter from our Colonel, Her Royal Highness, The Princess of Wales this morning.
We continue to wish Her Royal Highness well in her recovery and send Her our very best wishes.
Quis Separabit@KensingtonRoyal @ArmyInLondon pic.twitter.com/y95rbmaeOS
— Irish Guards (@irish_guards) June 8, 2024
Earlier this year, the Princess reportedly covered a bar tab for the Irish Guards on St. Patrick's Day when she was unable to attend the traditional engagements.
Who are the Irish Guards?
The Irish Guards was formed on April 1, 1900 by Queen Victoria in recognition of the many acts of courage and bravery performed by Irish regiments during the Second Boer War.
Known "affectionately" throughout the British Army as 'The Micks,' the Irish Regiment guards the Royal Family. They are experts in infantry combat - reconnaissance, engaging enemy troops with machine guns and mortars, sniping, and more.
St. Patrick’s Day is the traditional celebration of the Irish Guards. On this day each year, members of the regiment are presented with fresh shamrock from HRH Prince William.