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Kate Middleton and Prince William Share a Heartfelt Update After Missing St. Patrick’s Day

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Kate Middleton and Prince William have shared a heartfelt update after missing the annual St Patrick’s Day celebrations for 2020 — the first time the royal couple hasn’t attended the event in years.

The pair, who usually attend the Irish Guards annual parade, posted a moving tribute to the guards that felt especially poignant, given the current difficulties the world faces in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

Taking to Instagram, the Kate and William, who have been keeping a low profile with no official engagements lately thanks to the Coronavirus crisis, shared a sweet message: “☘️Happy St Patrick’s Day!”

“In the absence of the annual #StPatricksDay Parade with the @IrishGuards (as the majority of the Regiment are on deployment overseas 🌍), of which The Duke of Cambridge has been Colonel since 2011, we’re sharing more on where the Irish Guards will be working this St Patrick’s Day,” the post read.

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☘️Happy St Patrick’s Day! • In the absence of the annual #StPatricksDay Parade with the @IrishGuards (as the majority of the Regiment are on deployment overseas 🌍), of which The Duke of Cambridge has been Colonel since 2011, we’re sharing more on where the Irish Guards will be working this St Patrick’s Day: • The Irish Guards, known affectionately throughout the Army as ‘the Micks’, is an Irish regiment which has proven its loyalty and grit on many tough operations. • Number 1 Company is currently deployed in South Sudan 🇸🇸 for four months on Operation Trenton, providing security to the Royal Engineers undertaking construction projects as part of the @unitednations mission there, including teaching basic skills that empower the locals and will help them continue to improve their lives long after the deployment finishes. • Meanwhile in Iraq 🇮🇶 the remainder (and vast majority of the Battalion) of the Micks are deployed on Operation Shader. They are currently on a six-month tour focused on training security forces across multiple locations in Iraq and further north in the Kurdish Region. • A truly diverse Regiment, the Irish Guards draws from soldiers all over the British Isles, Ireland and across the Commonwealth. As the Regiment’s motto challenges, ‘Quis Separabit’ — ‘Who Shall Separate Us?’ • All photos © Irish Guards

A post shared by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on

The caption then went into detail about the troops’ efforts in South Sudan and Iraq, accompanied by incredible images of their work.

The pair are usually out in force when St Patrick’s Day is celebrated each year.

Last year’s parade was one to remember, especially for Kate, who adorned her Alexander McQueen coat with a very special accessory — a beautiful golden shamrock brooch, crafted by Cartier, originally presented to Princess Mary in 1961, and which has since been worn by Princess Anne and the Queen Mother.

Getty Images

This year, the outlook was undoubtedly different for Kate and William, as the effects of the Coronavirus outbreak are felt worldwide.

At a time where the royals are usually out in full force, both Kate and William have been keeping a low profile, with no scheduled public engagements in the foreseeable future.

This comes as no surprise given the current regulations from the World Health Organization advising the public to socially isolate and take measured precautions around public gatherings.

And it’s not only Kate and William who have taken a step back. The Palace has also announced the Queen’s annual Garden Parties, which usually take place in May, have also been canceled.

A statement from Buckingham Palace read: “In consultation with the Medical Household and Government, a number of public events with large numbers of people due to having been attended by The Queen, and other members of the Royal Family, in the coming months will be cancelled or postponed.”

The statement continued: “Three Garden Parties hosted by The Queen, due to be held at Buckingham Palace in May, will now not take place. Guests already invited to these Garden Parties will be asked to attend in 2021.”

Other changes to the royal household amid the global health crisis include new protocols such as avoiding shaking hands, wearing gloves and only carrying out engagements that are in smaller numbers.

These changes are in line with recommendations from the WHO, and will no doubt be assessed in an ongoing capacity.

This article originally appeared on our sister site, Now to Love

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