PRINCESS Kate carried out an incredible gesture for the Irish Guards after missing out on a St Patrick's Day parade.
The royal, who is honorary colonel of the regiment, had to sit out of last week's celebrations as she continues to recover from abdominal surgery.
Unable to raise her usual Guinness toast with soldiers at Mons Barracks in Aldershot, Hants, the Princess of Wales made sure she was there in spirit.
Kindhearted Kate put £2,000 behind the regimental bar for a party after the traditional parade.
The generous beer tokens saw at least 700 pints of Guinness pulled for the guards, reports .
Members from the Irish Guards gave three cheers to absent Kate - raising their bearskin helmets into the air as a mark of respect.
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It was the first parade Kate had missed in seven years.
It comes as Kate remains absent from any royal duties until after the Easter holidays.
Royal staff are said to be preparing for Kate's life in the public eye again after her lengthy recovery following abdominal surgery.
Two former aides who have experience in public relations, have been consulted about Kate's comeback, reports .
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The pair are responsible for devising the mum-of-three's schedule for when she feels healthy and well enough to return, it is understood.
The Sun exclusively revealed video footage of Kate and Wills on an outing to Windsor Farm shop over the weekend.
Kate, 42, smiled and looked relaxed and happy on the trip with William.
The Princess was dressed down in a hoodie and leggings, carried her own shopping as she strolled through the car park at a farm shop.
Disgusting trolls have since slammed the footage - claiming it isn't the royal.
It comes amid weeks of vile and bullying online behaviour where wild conspiracy theories have spread unchecked.
And yesterday, it was revealed that staff allegedly tried to view Kate's medical records during her stay at The London Clinic.
Kate's role with the Irish Guards
The Princess of Wales is honorary colonel of the regiment.
The 2023 St Patrick's Day celebration was Kate's first as honorary colonel, after taking over from Prince William in the role.
The Prince of Wales previously said that being Colonel of the Irish Guards was one of the "great honours of my life".
An honorary colonel is usually a member of the royal family or a prominent retired military officer with connections to the regiment.
The ceremonial role usually means Kate would be at every event for the unit but unfortunately had to miss out this year.
The "major security breach" is alleged to have taken place while the Princess of Wales was a patient at the hospital in January.
Three workers from The London Clinic are currently being investigated over the "damaging" claims.
Kate was admitted to the prestigious private hospital for planned abdominal surgery just days before King Charles also underwent an enlarged prostate procedure at the facility.
The alleged breach is said to have taken place after Kate was discharged on January 29.
It was yesterday announced a probe into the suspected breach was launched by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).
They confirmed it has received a report and is "assessing the information provided".
The privacy watchdog has today said their investigation will include concerns that the clinic didn't report the "major security breach" when it should have.
Official guidance from the ICO is that personal data breaches must be reported within 72 hours.
It is understood The London Clinic didn't bring it to attention until a week after.
King Charles' medical records were not accessed in the alleged breach, it has been reported.
Health minister Maria Caulfield said police have "been asked to look at" the allegations.
The Clinic could face a £17.5million fine over the alleged data breach, a medical privacy expert told The Sun.