Her absence was a great topic of discussion in the media and social media. Its consequences too. Catherine Duchess of Cambridge was not alongside her husband Prince William on Thursday March 17th in celebration of St. Patrick. The grand-son of Queen Elizabeth II was only at the military school of Mons Barracks in Aldershot, for the traditional ceremony in honor of the Irish Guards. And by her absence, wasn't able to give the bouquet of "shamrocks" - the Irish shamrock to the officers by Irish Guards.

Officially, the Duchess, who spent the beginning of the week in London for several royal appointment, "wanted to be with the children," according to a statement from Kensington Palace. Prince George, 2 and a half years, and Princess Charlotte, 10 months, remained in the house of Anmer Hall, the Cambridge's country house in Norfolk. The British press immediately noted the absence of Kate on Thursday in very critical terms.

Anyway, so it's Prince William who took over this Thursday against the 1st Battalion Irish Guards in their base in southern England. The prince was, as is customary, ceremonial uniform of the Irish Guards, of which he is colonel. William also decorated with a bouquet clover Domhnall  the Irish wolfhound mascot of the battalion.
Photo Credits: Paris Match