St Patrick's Day Parade
17th March 2025Wellington Barracks
Carolyn and I were fortunate to be invited along to the St Patrick's Day celebrations with the Irish Guards at the Wellington Barracks, along with IPM Elise Rasmussen, Bill and Sue Curran and other members of our Company.
After a moving service in the Guards' Chapel, we trooped outside and took our seats at the side of the parade ground, on the way getting a photo of Seamus the regimental mascot with his handler.
Despite the bitter temperature, all of us were very pleased to see the Princess of Wales, the Colonel of the Regiment, presenting bunches of shamrock to the members of the regiment who were on parade. Given her recent illness, it was wonderful to see her back doing some of her normal duties!
Beside the current members of the Irish Guards, members of the Irish Guards' Association were also on parade, including Ron Kirkland, the secretary of the London Branch of the Association, and Major Robbie Wilmont, our normal conatct with the regiment.
Once the parade was finished, we retired to the Irish Guards' Sergeants' Mess for drinks and a fine lunch (one option being Irish stew of course!)
To everbody's surprise, the Princess made an unscheduled but very welcome visit to the Sergeants' Mess, and talked to as many people as possible during her brief stay. (Tip for the future - if you want to get her attention directly, have a baby with you!)
A great day, despite the cold, and thanks to the Irish Guards for their hospitality. (Thank you also to Sue Curran for some of the photos!)