The best photos of royals celebrating St. Patrick's Day through the years

By Heather Cichowski
Many of us mark St. Patrick's Day on March 17 by wearing green and toasting to good luck, possibly with a pint of Guinness. Royals traditionally celebrate the holiday, too. And their St. Patrick's Day engagements are quite similar!
We can typically expect to see them at the St. Patrick's Day parade hosted by the Irish Guards. It is a long-standing tradition that has been carried out by the Queen Mother, and more recently Prince William and Duchess Kate. Plus, royals have stepped out to other St. Paddy's Day events throughout the years that have a little luck.
Scroll through the gallery (or click through if you're on desktop) to see British royals celebrating St. Patrick's Day.
Photo: © Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage

For St. Patrick's Day 2019, Prince William and Duchess Kate visited the 1st Battalion of the Irish Guards in Hounslow, London on March 17.
The mom of three gave a friendly hello to Irish wolfhound Domhnall, whom she has met at previous events. When she distributes shamrocks each year, the pooch gets one for his collar!
Kate was festive in a deep green Alexander McQueen coat paired with a matching fascinator and Gianvito Rossi suede pumps.
Photo: © Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Sláinte! Prince William and Duchess Kate drank to good health with pints of Guinness during their St. Patrick's Day visit.
Photo: © Samir Hussein/WireImage

Duchess Camilla joined Prince Charles at a dinner to mark St. Patrick's Day and to celebrate UK-Irish relations on March 6, 2019 in London. She was dressed for the occasion in a green and white maxi gown decorated with opulent floral embroidery.
Photo: © Jeff Spicer/Getty Images

Duchess Kate presented shamrocks to members of the 1st Battalion Irish Guards at the St. Patrick's Day parade at Mons Barracks on March 17, 2012 in Aldershot.
It was a special moment because it was Kate's first solo military engagement. Additionally, she and Prince William officially inherited the tradition that year.
Photo: © Paul Vicente - WPA Pool/Getty Images

The Queen Mother, who was then known as Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon or the Duchess of York, presented shamrocks to the 1st Battalion Irish Guards at Chelsea Barracks on St. Patrick's Day in 1928.
She took up the duty following the passing of Queen Alexandra in 1925.
Photo: © Edward G Malindine/Getty Images

On St. Patrick's Day 2015, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attached shamrocks to their outfits at the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade at Mons Barracks in Aldershot.
The duchess was pregnant with Princess Charlotte at the time. This was a rare St. Patrick's Day she forgoed green in favour of a chestnut brown Catherine Walker coat and matching Lock and Company fascinator.
Photo: © Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Clad in a regal green Hobbs coat, Gina Foster fascinator and heels, the Duchess of Cambridge joined Prince William on St. Patrick's Day 2014 to present the traditional sprigs of shamrock to the Irish Guards in Aldershot.
Photo: © Danny Martindale/WireImage

The Queen, Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg and the Queen Mother posed with the Irish Guards on March 17, 1995 during the St. Patrick's Day parade festivities.
Some might be surprised they weren't in green, but they were wearing full sprigs of shamrock!
Photo: © Anwar Hussein/Getty Images

Green for good luck! The Duchess of Cornwall sported a St. Patrick's Day-themed Philip Treacy hat and coordinating green suit to the Cheltenham Races on March 17, 2006.
Photo: © Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

Cheers! The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge enjoyed a pint of Guinness each when they met with soldiers of the Irish Guards in their canteen following the St. Patrick's Day parade at Cavalry Barracks in Hounslow, London on March 17, 2017.
Kate donned a bespoke Catherine Walker coat and striking fascinator.
Photo: © Richard Pohle - WPA Pool/Getty Images

In keeping with tradition, Kate handed out shamrocks during the Irish Guards' St. Patrick's Day parade at Mons Barracks on March 17, 2013 in Aldershot. She was dressed in a gorgeous green Emilia Wickstead coat for the occasion. It was the same one she wore the previous year!
Photo: © Samir Hussein/WireImage

The Queen Mother handed out shamrocks to the Irish Guards during the annual St. Patrick's Day ceremony on March 17, 1987.
The tradition began in 1901 by Queen Alexandra and was later carried out by the Queen Mother for 32 years.
Photo: © Hulton Archive/Getty Images

While posing with members of the Irish Guards for a photograph, the Queen Mother shared a joke with them!
Photo: © Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Wearing a sprig of shamrock and a green skirt suit, Princess Anne interacted with the Irish Guards at the Wellington Barracks on March 17, 2005.
Photo: © Ferdaus Shamim/WireImage

On St. Patrick's Day 2018, the Cambridges shared an affectionate moment when William placed a hand on Kate's back. She was expecting Prince Louis and showcased her bump in a forest green Catherine Walker coat with the bowed Gina Foster fascinator she wore to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in 2014.
Photo: © Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images