Justweeks before she is due to give birth, Kate Middleton will attend the St.Patrick's Day parade at Mons Barracks, Aldershot, home to 1st BattalionIrish Guards on March 17.
The pregnant royal will be joined by her husband Prince William, who is attending in his capacity as the colonel of the regiment. Kate will stick to a tradition started in 1901 by Queen Alexandra, the wife of Edward VII, and hand out shamrocks to guardsmen.
The longestserving guardsmen will then be able to toast the royal couple and thank themfor their shamrocks. And as a dog owner herself, the Duchess may pet Domhnall,the Irish wolfhound and official mascot of the Irish Guards.
In thefinal weeks of her pregnancy, many await to see how she will dress her growingbaby bump. She donned a pale pink Alexander McQueen coat Monday for theCommonwealth Day service, which she attended with William, Prince Charles, Camilla and the Queen.
Due togive birth in April, Kate is set to go on maternity leave shortly, making thisone of her final engagements. But prior to attending the St. Patrick's Dayevents she will visit Margate, Kent on Wednesday to see the Turner ContemporaryArt Gallery and the special exhibit titled Self: Image and Identity and meetartists whose works are on display in the exhibition. Thefollowing day, Kate is due at Ealing Studio to meet with the cast of herfavorite show, Downton Abbey.