The Daily Mail - Senior Royal Editor Ingrid Seward --
Caption: The Duke of Cambridge poses for the Corporals' Mess group photo with the Irish Guards as one gentleman tries to take a selfie
The shamrock is a potent symbol. Its three heart-shaped leaves represent both Ireland and the Holy Trinity. God and country. It’s why, on St Patrick’s Day every year, it’s handed out to Irish Guards who fight and die in the British Armed Forces. Even in war it is shipped out to them to be tucked into their Kevlar helmets.
So unthinking were her advisers in Kensington Palace that when a row about her absence erupted they replied that she’d simply gone home to Norfolk to be with her children. For Kate to miss an opportunity to honour the Armed Forces with such a lame excuse shows a distinct lack of understanding.
If she wants to be thought of as a modern princess who will go the extra mile for the brave soldiers she represents through her charities, she should have been there at their new barracks at Hounslow, not at home in Anmer Hall.
It somehow made the covenant between Royals and the military look as if it didn’t matter. It would have been an easy custom for the Duchess of Cambridge to embrace and make her own. Indeed, it was her first solo military engagement in March 2012 and for the next three years she made herself a favourite among the troops when she accompanied Prince William, who is Colonel of the Regiment.
Last Thursday to everyone’s surprise she left him to perform the duty alone. Click link for full post from The Daily Mail.
The EXPRESS: To Kate's Defense:
Caption: Prince William presented shamrocks to the 1st battalion Irish Guards on St Patrick's Day
SOURCES close to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have defended Kate's decision not to present shamrocks to the 1st battalion Irish Guards on St Patrick's Day to spend time with her children amid criticism the couple are "workshy".
Kate, 34, was ridiculed on social media last week after it emerged only William would be attending Thursday's ceremony at the Cavalry Barracks in Hounslow, reportedly breaking a 115-year-old tradition of a female royal doing the job. Kensington Palace said the regiment was informed "months ago" that the Duchess would not be going and that it was wrong to suggest that only female royals had historically carried out the annual ritual.
"While the Duchess has accompanied the Duke every year since his appointment in 2012, and will do so again in future, this year she sadly could not make it because she is prioritising time with her children before next month's tour of India and Bhutan."
"The have taken the decision to put their children first. Not everyone will agree with it and they completely understand that, but that's not going to change the way they run their lives.
"They know they are in the very fortunate position of being able to employ a full-time nanny but Kate is a very hands-on mother. Click link for full post from EXPRESS.
William and Kate, a young modern Royal couple doing the best they can to balance work, give their children a normal family life (while they can) and perform their traditional Royal Duties in a 21st century modern world.
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