Royal Colonel Kate Trains with 'The Micks' in the Snow

The Princess of Wales braved sub-zero conditions on Salisbury Plain today for her first official engagement with the 1st Battalion Irish Guards since becoming Royal Colonel of the regiment.

The Princess succeeds her husband in the role (William is now Colonel of the Welsh Guards in his capacity as the new Prince of Wales). Prince William was made colonel of the regiment in May 2011; it was his first honorary position in the army. As you all remember, the Prince opted to wear the Irish Guards tunic for the royal wedding. Of course, engagements with the Irish Guards are a staple on William and Kate's calendar. We normally see them attend the annual St Patrick's Day parade and present shamrock. Should the Princess continue to do so this year, we'll see her attend her first parade as Royal Colonel on the 17th.

The Ministry of Defence said: "Though harsh winds blew across the Plain, stinging faces and fingers with cold, nothing could lessen the pleasure and enthusiasm of the Irish Guardsmen as they showed The Princess what they have been doing recently on operational duties across the world. The Irish Guards are known for their charm and bright humour and smiles soon wreathed every face."

Whilst the snowy conditions certainly made for wonderful photos, it must have been bitingly chilly out there today.

The visit coincided with International Women's Day, a point correctly noted by Irish Guards Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel James Aldridge who said after the engagement: "It is particularly special and fitting on International Women’s Day that we get to welcome HRH the Princess of Wales into the Irish Guards family as our new Regimental Colonel. It is a real honour for the young guardsmen to meet their Royal Colonel in the field here on Salisbury Plain and demonstrate a few of our basic operational skills."

The regiment said, in a press release: "The Irish Guards, formed by Queen Victoria in 1900, are experts in infantry combat. Their specialisms include reconnaissance, engaging enemy troops with machine guns and mortars, deploying their snipers with laser-like accuracy and anti-tank operations.

"Guardsmen from Number One and Number Two Company told her of some of the extraordinary and life-changing experiences they have had while recently deployed in East Africa. Some had been involved in Counter Poaching operations, where they worked closely with Park Rangers in Zambia to protect wildlife and prevent international criminal activity. Others have been involved in helping allied nations prevent conflict and terrorist insurgency in areas of serious political and economic instability in the region. The Irish Guards are also currently working as part of an international military training team here in the UK, training Ukrainian Armed Forces with the basic combat infantry skills they will need to defend their homeland. Soldiers from Number Three Company demonstrated two of the elements they are using on the Ukrainian Recruits’ training course. The first was a demonstration of Counter-Explosive Ordnance which showed life-saving de-mining skills; the second was an impressively realistic casualty extraction battle exercise."

The Princess was briefed on the regiment's operational capabilities by Regimental Lieutenant Colonel of the Irish Guards, Major General Christopher Ghika and the Commanding Officer Irish Guards, Lieutenant Colonel James Aldridge.

The Ministry of Defence continued: "They explained that The Irish Guards are part of the British Army’s 11th Security Force Assistance Brigade which was formed in 2021 to train, advise and assist foreign forces. Routinely deployed around the world, Security Force Assistance units help prevent conflict and instil resilience at an early stage when danger threatens, by enhancing the capacity and capabilities of allied and partner nations."

Kate spent time with men and women from all ranks of the regiment, all of whom were delighted to welcome her to 'The Micks' family.

The Princess participated in active training exercises. During a casualty simulation exercise, complete with gunfire, fake blood, and very realistic wounds, Kate was shown how to carry out battlefield casualty drills to deliver care to injured soldiers.

Those present from the regiment described the visit as a "dramatic introduction" for their new Royal Colonel. They were deeply impressed by Kate's "hands on" attitude throughout the day.

A video from the day.

The Princess donned camouflage and winter staples for the outing.

The Princess sported her G-Star skinny cargo trousers. The trousers are described: "These G-Shape cargo pants offer a high waist on a skinny fit. The shaped waistband wraps around the waist to eliminate gaps. Deep pockets with a flap are added to the thigh and offer hidden snap closures. Additional inset front pockets are combined with a single zipper pocket at the backside."

Below, Kate wearing them in Belize last March.

And her Berghaus Supalite II boots. They remain available at Berghaus here.

Middleton Maven suggests Kate wore the Holland Cooper Asotria Roll Neck Knit in fern green underneath.

The Princess also wore a hat and gold hoop earrings.