Princess Kate, known for her active role as a colonel in the Irish Guards, will unfortunately be absent from this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

The British Army is making arrangements for a replacement as the Duchess continues her recovery from abdominal surgery.

Typically, Kate participates in the parade by distributing shamrocks to officers and non-commissioned officers, who then share them with the rest of the ranks.

This year, due to her health condition, Lady Jika, the wife of the regiment’s lieutenant-colonel, Major General Sir Christopher Jika, will be stepping in to fulfill Kate’s traditional role.

Major General Sir Christopher Jika, a distinguished figure with significant royal experience, has overseen military processions for important events such as King Charles’ coronation, Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee, and the funerals of both Her Majesty and Prince Philip.

Since 1900, female members of the royal family have partaken in the custom of distributing shamrock branches during the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

However, it is not uncommon for a royal member to be unable to attend the event, with historical records showing at least 10 instances of absence over the years.

Commanding Officer James Aldridge emphasized the significance of the occasion in fostering camaraderie within the regimental community, expressing anticipation for the gathering of personnel from various army ranks and their families.

Amidst Princess Kate’s recuperation period following major surgery earlier this year, Kensington Palace has confirmed her temporary withdrawal from official duties until after Easter.

While details about her medical condition remain undisclosed, she is reported to be in stable health.

Meanwhile, Prince William has been fulfilling his royal obligations solo, attending events like the BAFTAs awards and Commonwealth Day, although he recently opted out of King Constantine of Greece’s memorial service for personal reasons.

In a parallel development, King Charles is also on a hiatus from his royal responsibilities as he undergoes treatment for cancer, a diagnosis made public over a month ago.

The timeline for his return to active duty remains uncertain, yet he continues to engage in behind-the-scenes work, attending meetings and staying abreast of daily affairs through his red boxes.

In his stead, the Queen has been managing the castle, handling various tasks, occasionally accompanied by the Duchess of Gloucester.