Kate Middleton posts fun Instagram message on St Patrick’s Day as she misses parade following surgery

The Princess of Wales was forced to skip this year’s parade for the first time since 2016 as concerns for her health continue

The Princess of Wales posted a message to mark St Patrick’s Day as she missed Ireland’s national day of celebration for the first time in years amid her ongoing health concerns.

Kate was forced to skip this year’s parade while she continues to recover from abdominal surgery that she underwent in January.

She became the honorary Colonel of the Irish Guards last year but was not in attendance at the Mons Barracks in Aldershot, Hampshire, on Sunday. Apart from missing 2016’s celebrations, Kate has attended every parade since 2012.

In a message posted on X from the Prince and Princess of Wales’ account, the couple said: “Happy St Patrick’s Day! Here’s a sneak peak of the @irish_guards rehearsing for their annual parade. Sláinte to all those celebrating today!”

Kate was pictured smiling at last year’s celebrations (Reuters)

The message was posted along a video featuring the Irish Guards.

The princess has been subject to conspiracy theories about her health in recent weeks but as she recovers away from the public eye at her home in Windsor.

The Princess of Wales spoke out on St Patrick’s Day as she misses celebrations for the first time in seven years amid her ongoing health concerns (PA Wire)

Despite her absence, the Irish Guards paid tribute to their absent colonel, as they gave three cheers for the princess.

The British army in London posted on X: “In keeping with tradition wherever they are in the world the @irish_guards give a rousing three cheers for the Colonel of the Regiment HRH the Princess of Wales at their St Patrick’s Day Parade in Aldershot.”

They removed their bearskin headdresses before giving three cheers of “hip hip hooray”.

Last year, Kate was pictured in the rain presenting the army’s canine mascot Seamus with the traditional sprig of shamrock. She later enjoyed a glass of Guinness with the troops.

It was the first time in nearly a year that a full contingent of Irish Guardsmen had come together for a parade, with the last being the coronation of the King in May 2023, according to the Army.

The message comes as friends close to Kate told The Sunday Times that she may speak out about her health issues at a later date.

The mother-of-three has faced a massive amount of speculation about her condition in recent weeks and faced fresh furore over an edited family photo issued on Mother’s Day.

The mother-of-three has faced a massive amount of speculation about her condition in recent weeks and faced fresh furore over an edited family photo issued on Mother’s Day (Getty)

Those close to Kate and the Prince of Wales say the couple will disclose more information about her recovery in due course, according to The Sunday Times, which reports her return is expected after 17 April.

A source told the newspaper: “They are at their most open when out interacting with members of the public and I can see a world in which the princess might discuss her recovery out on engagements. If she was going to do it, that’s how she would do it.”

It comes as another friend told the same paper Kate edited the infamous Mother’s Day photo because she was trying to make her family “look the best they can”.

The picture issued by Kensington Palace was withdrawn with a “Kill” notice by international picture agencies and the UK’s PA news agency after concerns were raised over a missing part of Princess Charlotte’s sleeve and the misaligned edge of her skirt.

A source told The Sunday Times: “It’s a photo that she knew everyone would pore over so she pored over it herself — she likes trying to make the family look the best they can.”

It was also reported that the ordeal would not stop the mother-of-three from taking and sharing photos to mark her children’s birthdays.

Prince Louis turns six on 23 April and sources close to the couple told The Sunday Times no “firm decision” has been taken yet on whether Kate will be behind the camera.

“They appreciate the public’s love and affection for their children and know there is a public appetite to see them on their birthdays,” an aide told the paper.