Royal Family news LIVE: Kate Middleton makes emotional reunion in St Patrick’s Day duty – as King Charles meets Donald Trump rival

The Irish Guards is an Irish Regiment formed on 1 April 1900 by Queen Victoria.

Known affectionately throughout the Army as ‘The Micks’, it was founded in recognition of the acts of courage and bravery performed by Irish regiments during the Second Boer War.

Since then, the regiment has continued to serve in numerous major conflicts and guard the Royal Family.

St Patrick’s Day is the traditional celebration of the Irish Guards where its regiment members are presented with fresh shamrock from the Princess of Wales.

Pictured below: Queen Elizabeth ll and Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg pose with the Irish Guards for a St. Patrick’s Day celebration on March 1, 1995.

The Princess of Wales wrote to the Irish Guards last year to express her pride in the soldiers and wish them good luck for the Colonel’s Review.

Kate was unable to attend the event as she was receiving treatment following her cancer diagnosis.

The troops gave their colonel a round of applause after the emotional letter was read out at their barracks.

The letter read: ‘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.

‘I appreciate everyone trooping this year has been practising for months and dedicating many hours to ensuring their uniforms and drill are immaculate.

‘Being your Colonel remains a great honour and I am very sorry that I’m unable to take the salute at this year’s Colonel’s Review.

‘Please pass my apologies to the whole regiment, however I do hope that I am able to represent you all once again very soon.’

In her role as colonel of the Irish Guards, Kate will today present traditional sprigs of shamrock to officers and guardsmen at the Wellington Barracks in London.

She will also award long service and good conduct medals to soldiers.

It comes after she was unable to attend the ceremony last year as she was undergoing treatment for her cancer diagnosis.

Despite this, Kate was honoured in her absence as the guardsman gave three cheers for their absent colonel as they read out her letter of apologies for missing the event.

Her return today signals another positive step for the Princess, as she gradually steps up her return to Royal duties.

Hello and welcome to MailOnline’s royal coverage as the Princess of Wales makes a poignant return to duty this St Patrick’s Day.

Kate will resume her traditional engagement of attending the Irish Guard celebrations later today after missing last year’s parade through illness.

She last visited the Guards on St Patrick’s Day in 2023 after she took over the role of colonel from William.

Meanwhile, King Charles is set to meet Canada’s new Prime Minister and former Bank of England governor Mark Carney.

The meeting comes amid tensions between Mr Carney and Donald Trump after the US President declared Canada could become the 51st state.

Stick with us throughout the day as we bring you the latest royal updates plus the best pictures and videos.