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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Jennifer Newton

Kate Middleton's motive for ignoring St Patrick's Day tradition spotted by eagle-eyed fans

The Princess of Wales certainly turned heads by opting for an eye-popping colour for her latest outfit.

While attending the 1st Battalion Irish Guards St Patrick's Day parade, Kate wore a coat dress, heels and hat in a vibrant shade of teal, meaning she really stood out from the crowd.

It came as she attended the parade for the first time in her role as Colonel of the Irish Guards - and many royal fans had been expecting the princess in a more traditional shade of green.

However, it turns out that the colour she picked for her custom made Catherine Walker jacket and stunning Jane Taylor Millinery was inspired choice - and perfectly reflected her new role.

Kate in a stunning shade of teal (PA)
Kate poses for a group photo (PA)

That's because it was the same shade as the plume members of the Irish Guards wear on the right hand side of their bearskin hats.

But that's not the only incredible attention to detail that was included in Kate's outfit last Friday.

On closer inspection the stand-up collar of the coat also echoes the stand-up collar of the Irish Guards' tunic.

Meanwhile, the way the buttons are arranged on the front of Kate's coat also have a hidden meaning.

The Irish Guards wear a blue plume in the right hand side of their bearskin hats (Getty Images)
The Guards' coats have buttons arranged four-in-a-row (Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)

Her coat features four buttons in a row and a space before another four buttons in a row - also exactly the same as the Irish Guards' tunic.

Meanwhile, real eagle-eyed fans noticed an extremely small flap that had been embroided to the front of the coat - meaning when she received her sprig of shamrock, it could easily be pinned on.

Kate also handed out shamrock to the Irish Guards and their mascot, an Irish Wolfhound called Seamus.

During a speech at the parade, Kate opened up about her new role and paid tribute to her husband Prince William who had been Colonel before her.

Kate presents shamrocks to the 1st Battalion Irish Guards for St Patrick's Day (PA)
Kate shares a joke with Prince William (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

She said: "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.

"Last week, I took the opportunity to visit some of you on Salisbury Plain, to see your inspiring work for myself.

The royal couple enjoy a drink of Guinness (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

"The day was bitterly cold, and while displaying your skills to yet another visitor was probably the last thing any of you wanted to do, all I saw was enthusiasm, pride and incredible dedication.

"I was hugely impressed with your insistence that nothing is as bad as it seems, and – most of all – your boundless, irreverent, glorious sense of humour.

"That's what makes you who you are and what makes the Irish Guards unique.

"I look forward to spending more time with you and your families, seeing your commitment to duty and service in all you do.

"Before I close, however, I want to thank Colonel William. He has always talked about his fierce pride for this regiment. I know he will continue to support us all in the work we do."

The parade concluded with a royal salute and march-past, where Kate took the salute as the new Colonel.

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