Kate hands out shamrocks on St. Patrick's Day
(CBS News) Before giving her first public speech Monday, Kate took on another first over the weekend - her first solo military event.
The Duchess of Cambridge, 30, handed out shamrocks to officers of the 1st Battalion Irish Guards on St. Patrick's Day.
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According to Britain's Telegraph, she presented shamrocks to 40 officers and warrant officers, as well as to the battalion's regimental mascot, Conmael, in Adlershot, England.
Kate, a dog-owner herself (she and Prince William have a cocker spaniel puppy named Lupo), reportedly gave the pup a pat on the head after pinning a sprig onto his collar.
Conmael kept his cool during the visit, but the excitement proved too much for another member of the battalion - a young soldier fainted in his scarlet Irish Guards uniform as servicemen waited to meet her, according to the Daily Mail.
The former Kate Middleton wore a green belted coat by Emilia Wickstead with a brown hat by Locke & Co. and suede heels, the Telegraph reports. On her lapel was a gold shamrock brooch by Cartier that once belonged to the Queen Mother.
The St. Patrick's Day visit may become a regular occurrence for Kate. The royal tradition was carried out by the Queen Mother until her death 10 years ago, according to USA Today. The role was then taken over by Princess Anne, and now, the paper reports, has been passed on to the Duchess of Cambridge.
