A look back at how Colonel Kate used a ‘secret weapon’ to wow the Irish Guards (and the rest of us) every St. Patrick’s Day…

For more than a decade, the Princess of Wales has taken part in the ceremony of handing out shamrocks to the Irish Guards on St. Patrick’s Day.

And the result is an annual fashion highlight for Kate, who usually wears a familiar coat dress for the occasion.

Ranging from crisp military styles to double-breasted versions and maternity, the coat is a hybrid fashion piece that adds a touch of polish to her work wardrobe.

Including examples from Catherine Walker, Emilia Wickstead and Alexander McQueen, the coat dresses have become something of a secret weapon, rThey came together no matter the weather and added a touch of dramatic glamour.

For each of her appearances in the St. Patrick’s parade, Kate has adorned her outfit with a delicate gold shamrock brooch from Cartier, loaned by the Irish Guards regiment. The accessory was worn by the Queen Mother during her appearances with the Irish Guards on St. Patrick’s Day and beyond Princess Anne who took over the role after the Queen Mother’s death.

This year the princess will miss the event while she recovers from surgery. But here we look back at the many style successes she had on March 17.

There’s definitely something of a theme…

2023

Last year was Kate’s first St. Patick’s Day as Colonel of the Regiment.

The Princess of Wales marked this by swapping her usual all-green attire for a teal Catherine Walker ensemble.

Colonel Catherine opted for a tailored coat dress with matching Gianvito Rossi pumps and a Jane Taylor hat, completing the stylish outfit with a gold Cartier shamrock brooch with a rich royal history.

Although her color choice was unexpected, Kate’s ensemble perfectly matched the plumes worn in the bearskins of the Irish Guards: St. Patrick’s blue – the shade of the Order of St. Patrick’s cloak and sash.

2022

After missing the parade for two years marred by the pandemic, Kate made a triumphant return at the annual parade in Aldershot with a perfectly coordinated ensemble in deep green.

Her coat dress from aptly named designer Laura Green featured her favorite high-collar neckline and belted waist and was paired with a pillbox from Lock & Co and Emmy emerald pumps.

2020-21

St. Patrick’s Day looked a little different in 2020 and 2021 as the coronavirus swept the planet.

In 2021, Kate and William joined world leaders to wish Ireland a happy St. Patrick’s Day in a video from the Irish Foreign Office.

Kate wore green in a chic Zara blazer, accessorizing with her Daniella Draper shamrock earrings and necklace.

2019

At the 2019 ceremony, the Duchess of Cambridge, as she was then, wore a forest green Alexander McQueen coat with military-style buttons, a high collar and peplum ruffles at the back.

Kate completed the stylish tailoring with a matching Lock & Co fascinator with floral detail, Gianvito Rossi block heel pumps and Cornelia James gloves.

With her hair pulled back in a neat chignon, her green tourmaline and green amethyst Kiki McDonough earrings – a gift for Princess Charlotte’s birth – sparkled in the sun.

2018

It was maternity style for St. Patrick’s Day in 2018 as Kate stepped out looking radiant in a Catherine Walker.

Kate was pregnant with Prince Louis at the time.

This cozy coat, trimmed with fur at the collar and cuffs, was another example of Kate’s perfect maternity wardrobe and was accessorized with a pair of suede heels from Tod’s and a Gina Foster hat that she first wore on St. Patrick’s Day in 2014.

2017

When Kate made her annual trip to honor the Irish Guards for St. Patrick’s Day after missing the festivities last year, she opted for a new Catherine Walker coat.

This had buttons that resembled the guards’ uniform.

She wore a Lock & Co hat that she previously wore on Christmas Day four months earlier, along with matching Emmy heels. In terms of jewelry, Kate opted for a favorite pair of Monica Vinader earrings in green onyx.

2015

Weeks away from Princess Charlotte’s arrival in 2015, Kate broke with green tradition and opted for a maroon coat from Catherine Walker.

The royal completed her maternity look with Emmy pumps in matching brown and a Lock & Co pill cap that she also wore to her first St. Patrick’s Day event in 2012, and added some sparkle with Kiki McDonough Citrine earrings.

2014

Kate hit the high streets in 2014 and opted for a bottle green Hobb’s wool trench coat with epaulettes, which immediately sold out.

She swapped the tie belt for a leather Emilia Wickstead design, which cinched the waist neatly, and went all green with an Emmy clutch and matching shoes. Kate’s glossy blow-dry was topped off with a Gina Foster hat and her Kiki McDonough cushion-shaped amethyst earrings were the perfect finishing touch.

2013

Radiant Kate dressed her maternity figure in the same Emilia Wickstead coat she wore last year, removing the belt to accommodate her growing bump.

This time she styled the look with a black turtleneck, Cornelia James gloves and a matching black Lock & Co hat. Wearing her Episode black suede pumps, the royal had an unfortunate accident when they got stuck in a grate and Prince William came to her rescue.

2012

For her first parade in 2012, which was also her first solo military appearance, Kate wore an elegant emerald belted coat from Emilia Wickstead.

She paired with a chocolate brown Lock & Co hat. Looking radiant in jewel tones, she styled her hair in loose waves and wore the heirloom Cartier shamrock brooch on her lapel, which became part of her St. Patrick’s Day uniform in subsequent years.