‘Shaken’: Kate and William’s surprise new photo move

Princess Catherine has honoured her Irish commitment by sending a replacement to a royal engagement while returning to social media.

Princess Catherine has shared a touching video to celebrate the work of the Irish Guards ahead of their St Patrick’s Day Parade.

The Princess of Wales, who is honorary colonel of the regiment, sat out Sunday’s celebrations as she recovers from surgery.

Lady Ghika, wife of the regiment’s Major General Sir Chris Ghika, stood in for the Princess of Wales at Mons Barracks in Aldershot.

Irish wolfhound Seamus, mascot of the Irish Guards, with his handler Drummer Ashley Dean, receives a shamrock from Lady Ghika, wife of the Regimental Lieutenant Colonel, Major General Sir Christopher Ghika. Picture: AFP

The Princess of Wales, pictured visiting troops in Salisbury last March, is honorary colonel of the Irish Guards. Picture: Getty Images

Members from the Irish Guards gave a three cheers to absent Kate as they raised their bearskins into the air as a mark of respect.

In a video of rehearsals shared on the Prince and Princess of Wales’ Instagram, the royals said: “Happy St Patrick’s Day!

“Here’s a sneak peak of the Irish Guards rehearsing for their annual parade.

“Sláinte to all those celebrating today!”

Happy St Patrick’s Day! Here’s a sneak peak of the @irish_guards rehearsing for their annual parade. Sláinte to all those celebrating today! 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/g45OPxB2Mc

— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) March 17, 2024

The video featured proud members of the Irish Guards saying the parade unites the Household Division regiment.

Wearing a plum coat dress, Lady Ghika presented the regiment’s mascot, Seamus the Irish wolfhound, with a shamrock, as is tradition at the parade.

The 2023 St Patrick’s Day celebration was Princess Catherine’s first as honorary colonel, after taking over from Prince William in the role.

Prince William and Princess Catherine, Princess of Wales during their visit to the 1st Battalion Irish Guards for their St Patrick’s Day Parade last year. Picture: AFP

She beamed in a teal coat and sipped Guinness after paying an emotional tribute to Col. William.

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.

“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.”

‘MORE DANGEROUS’: DIANA’S BROTHER ON PRESS ATTENTION

The brother of the late Princess Diana says he believes the press attention suffered by his sister was “more dangerous” than the scrutiny surrounding Princess Catherine.

In a candid BBC interview, Earl Spencer said he was “worried” about the conspiracy theories about the current Princess of Wales.

“I do worry about what’s happened to the truth,” he said.

Earl Spencer during his BBC interview. Picture: AFP Photo/Jeff Overs-BBC

The prominent British aristocrat has written a book, A Very Private School, about the horrific violence and sexual abuse he suffered as a young boy at boarding school.

“I used to take on the press a lot (at the time of his sister’s death) and that was connected to the school because I have an absolute hatred of injustice and the non-truth,” he told the BBC.

Asked if he felt the dangers of the provocation driven by paparazzi and the treatment of his late sister by the press were more potent than today, he said: “No I think it was more dangerous back in the day.

“I look back to 1997 and Diana’s death and it so shocking to me, it did make the industry that supports the paparazzi consider more carefully what it could and couldn’t do.

“Not because they had a moral judgment, but because it was unacceptable to the public.”

KARDASHIAN’S KATE POST BACKFIRES

Kim Kardashian has divided fans with a jokey post about the whereabouts of Princess Catherine.

“On my way to go find Kate,” the leather-clad reality star posted on Instagram alongside a series of images showing her posing next to a grey SUV.

But royal fans were quick to slam the star, accusing her of hypocrisy and “spreading rumours”.

“Kate is an icon,” one commented in a scathing reply. “She doesn’t need to say everything about her life unlike you.

“Her silence demonstrated that she was more powerful than all the American stars combined.”

Another posted: “Nothing like a celebrity who allegedly hates rumours, spreading rumours.”

Kardashian’s loyal fans, however, backed the star.

One wrote: “Omg that caption is going to stir up so much more drama.”

‘SHAKEN’: KATE, WILLS TO RELEASE NEW PHOTO

It came as sources claimed Prince William and Princess Catherine are intending to release a new family image to mark their youngest child’s birthday amid the fallout of the photo saga that has shocked the world..

The Princess of Wales was said to be “devastated” that the sweet Mother’s Day picture released by Kensington Palace triggered a global furore over concerns by some of the world’s top photo agencies that it had been “manipulated”.

The edited image that sparked another royal crisis. Picture: Prince of Wales/AFP

But despite the controversy, it is expected that the royal couple will still uphold the tradition of releasing a new photograph to mark their children’s birthdays — the next being Prince Louis, who turns six on April 23, The Sunday Times reports.

“They appreciate the public’s love and affection for their children and know there is a public appetite to see them on their birthdays,” an aide told The Sunday Times.

The Sunday Times quoted the source as saying that the couple may soon open up about Princess Catherine’s health issues.

The royal has not made an official public appearance since she underwent major abdominal surgery on January 16 and is expected to be out of action until after Easter.

A friend claims the Princess of Wales will soon open up about her health issues but it will be on her terms. Picture: AFP

“They are at their most open when out interacting with members of the public and I can see a world in which the Princess might discuss her recovery out on engagements,” the source said.

“If she was going to do it, that’s how she would do it.”

Another friend told The Sunday Times: “They will want to be clear and more open, but they’ll do it when they feel ready.

“I would expect that to be her instinct and it will be her call. They’re not going to be rushed.”

The friend said Catherine was “not a show pony” and it was “entirely right” for the royal pair to not want to be “drawn into a game about what is going on with her health”.

The Prince and Princess of Wales with their children and Mia Tindall at the royal Christmas service. AFP

The friend, who has known the couple since their St Andrew’s University days, said the royal pair had been left “shaken” by the fallout over the photoshopped Mother’s Day image, which sparked wild conspiracy theories.

The source told The Sunday Times that Catherine had only wanted to “bring a bit of joy” by releasing a reassuring image to thank the public for their support during her recovery from surgery.

The Prince and Princess of Wales in happier times last year at the St Patrick's Day Parade at Mons Barracks in Aldershot, south west of London. Picture: AFP

The friend insisted that Princess Catherine’s editing of the photo was just a case of her trying to project the polished image that the public has come to expect.

“It’s a photo that she knew everyone would pore over so she pored over it herself — she likes trying to make the family look the best they can,” the friend told The Sunday Times.