Duchess of Cambridge pulls out of presenting St Patrick's Day shamrocks
THE Duchess of Cambridge has left royal watchers and soldiers disappointed after pulling out of presenting St Patrick's Day shamrocks to the Irish Guards.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have already been called 'work-shy' before the latest cancellation
For the past four years, Kate, 34, has taken on the duty, usually performed by a female member of the Royal Family since Queen Alexandra began the tradition in 1901.
The Queen Mother did it for many years. Princess Anne took up the honour until Kate began in 2012, seemingly continuing the female tradition.
But it is understood that this year, the future Queen wanted to stay at home at Anmer Hall in Norfolk with her two children, Prince George, 2, and 10-month-old Princess Charlotte.
The Duchess has taken on the duty for the past four years
Last year the Duchess presented the shamrocks while pregnant with Princess Charlotte
She declined to attend Thursday's ceremony at the headquarters of the 1st Battalion Irish Guards in Hounslow, west London, leaving it to her husband, Prince William, who is Colonel of the regiment.
Aides said that the Duchess had enjoyed the duty in previous years and would undoubtedly do it again in future but did not want the public to think that she was taking on the responsibility annually.
Her decision fuelled criticism that both she and William as well as Prince Harry are not doing enough to warrant their taxpayer-funded lifestyle.
Last year Prince Philip, 94, undertook more royal engagements than William, Kate and Harry put together.
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Last weekend William, who is vice patron of the Welsh Rugby Union, and his wife also opted to stay at home instead of attending the England v Wales rugby match at Twickenham.
Prince Harry was there as vice patron of the Rugby Football Union.
On Thursday William, who is Colonel of the regiment, will present the traditional sprigs of shamrock when 450 soldiers from the 1st Battalion march onto the parade square at their new base, Cavalry Barracks in Hounslow.
A Kensington Palace spokeswoman suggested that as the first royal Colonel of the regiment, it was primarily his duty to present the shamrock sprigs.
Kate opted to stay at home with her children George and Charlotte rather than attend the ceremony
The notoriously private family recently released new photos taken on a skiing holiday
The spokeswoman said: "The Duchess has very much enjoyed the occasions when she has been able to attend, but the Duke is the Colonel of the Regiment and is looking forward to presenting the Irish Guards with their Shamrock."
The Duchess has enjoyed the occasions when she has been able to attend
She won't do it every year but the Duchess looks forward to marking St Patrick's Day with the Irish Guards many times in the future."
It has not been a universal royal female duty over the years.
In 2002, shortly before her death at the age of 101, Prince Edward stood in for his grandmother the Queen Mother.