Kate Middleton Bought Drinks for the Irish Guards on St. Patrick's Day

Since she married into the royal family, Kate Middleton has participated in an annual St. Patrick's Day tradition, handing out shamrocks to the Irish Guards. She had to miss the parade this year as she continues to recover from abdominal surgery, but the Princess of Wales made her presence felt in Aldershot.

According to reports, Kate bought around £2,000 worth of drinks for the regiment—which the Daily Mail calculates is at least 700 pints of Guinness. She also made sure that the Irish Guard's regimental mascot, Seamus the Irish wolfhound, got a special jumbo bone.

Kate is now also the Colonel of the Irish Guards, and last year's appearance at the parade was the first time she participated as Colonel. "I really couldn’t be prouder to stand in front of you here today. It really is a true honour to be your Colonel. I am here to listen to you, to support you, and to champion you in all you do – this is a responsibility I do not take lightly," she said at the parade. "I look forward to spending more time with you and your families, seeing your commitment to duty and service in all you do."

At this year's parade, the Irish Guards gave three cheers in honor of the Princess of Wales. "Three cheers for the Colonel of the regiment!" You can watch here:

Kate is not expected to return to public duties until next weekend at the earliest. When Kensington Palace first announced her abdominal surgery in January, they said, "Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter. " She was recently filmed in public for the first time, shopping with Prince William at a farm shop near their home in Windsor.

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