Kate Middleton shakes up St. Patrick’s Day tradition in turquoise coat

Kate Middleton shakes up St. Patrick’s Day tradition in turquoise coat

Kate Middleton is keeping them guessing.

The royal chose a surprising color to celebrate her first St. Patrick’s Day as Colonel of the Irish Guards today, joining Prince William at an annual parade in a bright turquoise coat and matching hat.

The Princess of Wales, 41, looked elegant in a Catherine Walker ensemble as she joined troops at Mons Barracks in Aldershot, England, debuting a custom coat dress with sharp, military-inspired tailoring.

The midi-length piece features eight covered buttons marching down the front and a high, notched collar along with shoulder pads and sharp pleats extending from the neckline.

Middleton matched her fabulous hat to the coat, sporting a Jane Taylor creation ($1,496) with pleated crinoline trim and adding emerald drop earrings with diamond accents.

Kate MiddletonMiddleton kept her suede shoes pristine despite the wet weather.Chris Jackson/WPA Pool/ShutterstockKate MiddletonShe added a traditional sprig of shamrocks to her coat later in the event.Getty ImagesKate MiddletonThe princess looked joyful as she joined troops for a photo.Tim Rooke/Shutterstock

She pinned the gold Irish Guards Shamrock Brooch to her coat, a piece that is believed to have been created in 2000 and loaned out to royal ladies for the annual event, per The Court Jeweller.

The princess kept the color theme going with her shoes, debuting a new color of her often-worn Gianvito Rossi suede pumps ($775) in a teal hue.

After passing out shamrocks to attendees — including Irish Wolf Hound mascot Turlough Mór, aka Seamus — Middleton added a large spring of the lucky greenery to her own outfit.

Kate Middleton, dogThe princess gave a pat to Seamus, who is the regimental mascot of the Irish Guards.WireImageKate MiddletonThe princess also broke away from traditional green in 2015, wearing a head-to-toe brown ensemble.Getty ImagesKate Middleton and Prince William drinking beerThe Waleses enjoyed a pint of Guinness with the troops today.POOL/AFP via Getty Images

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This is only the second time the royal has departed from St. Paddy’s Day green; in 2015, she sported a brown coat and matching pillbox hat while pregnant with Princess Charlotte.

Otherwise, Middleton has shown a range of elegant green looks, including a vintage-style coat dress last year and a bright Zara blazer for a socially distanced celebration in 2021.

After today’s parade, the Prince and Princess of Wales joined troops inside for some friendly chats and a pint of Guinness for a royal toast to the holiday.