The Princess of Wales on St. Patrick’s Day - March 2023.Photo: Shutterstock

Catherine Princess of Wales Prince William and Catherine Princess of Wales visit the Irish Guards at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Mons Barracks, Aldershot, UK - 17 Mar 2023

Kate Middletonloves a style hack!

While the Princess of Wales, 41, was a style surprise invibrant teal, rather than traditional green, on St. Patrick’s Day last week, her discreet fashion hack almost went unnoticed.

On closer inspection, on the left side of the central button fastenings, a simple loop in the same fabric as the coat dress (and matching dress underneath) was added for the traditional shamrock to be pinned on.

Kate Middleton on St Patrick’s Day 2023.Chris Jackson/Getty

Catherine, Princess of Wales attends the St. Patrick’s Day Parade at Mons Barracks on March 17, 2023 in Aldershot, England. Catherine, Princess of Wales attends the parade for the first time as Colonel of the Regiment succeeding The Prince of Wales, the outgoing Colonel.

According to theBritish Army, Queen Victoria started the royal tradition of shamrock distribution on St. Patrick’s Day in 1900 as formal recognition of the bravery of the Irish Guards during the Boer War.

The Princess of Wales on St. Patrick’s Day in 2022.Samir Hussein/WireImage

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attends the 1st Battalion Irish Guards' St. Patrick’s Day Parade with Prince William, Duke of Cambridge at Mons Barracks on March 17, 2022 in Aldershot, England.

Princess Kate has participated in the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade with the 1st Battalion Irish Guards for over a decade, but this year was extra special — her first as thenew honorary Colonel of the Irish Guards.King Charlesgave his daughter-in-law thenew titlein December, one that she said in a speech she did “not take lightly.”

It’s perhaps due to prestigious nature of the event that her style team put especially careful thought into her outfit. It was no coincidence that the central buttons on the outfit were configured to mirror those on the Irish Guards' uniform, arranged in groups of four. Additional military nods in her outfit include the mandarin collar and masculine tailoring, particularly the sharp edges of the shoulders.

The Princess of Wales at the St. Patrick’s Day parade, March 2023.Karwai Tang/WireImage

Catherine, Princess of Wales presents a traditional sprig of shamrock to an Officer during the St. Patrick’s Day Parade at Mons Barracks on March 17, 2023 in Aldershot, England. Catherine, Princess of Wales attends the parade for the first time as Colonel of the Regiment succeeding The Prince of Wales, the outgoing Colonel. (

The green-blue teal alsoperfectly matchedthe plumes worn in the bearskin hats of the Guards and features prominently in their regimental badge.

Also known as St. Patrick’s blue, it’s the color that is historically associated with Ireland (since the 1780’s when it was adopted as the Anglo-Irish Order of St. Patrick) rather than the more modern interpretation of green. The felt hat with delicate crinoline detail fromJane Tayloralso appeared to be a nod to the plumes of the historic bearskin hats.

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Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales on St Patrick’s Day 2023.Andrew Matthews/PA Images via Getty

The Princess of Wales during a visit to the 1st Battalion Irish Guards for the St Patrick’s Day Parade, at Mons Barracks in Aldershot. Picture date: Friday March 17, 2023.

Kate completed the look with meaningful accessories. In addition to sporting diamond and emerald earrings, giving her outfit a touch of classic green, she sported a special shamrock brooch featuring a small emerald in the center.

source: people.com