William began by speaking in Irish, saying, “Beannachtaí na féile Pádraig oraibh” (“Happy St Patrick’s Day”) with Kate echoing him: “We’re delighted to wish you all a very happy St Patrick’s Day.” This prompts her husband to turn to her and say jokingly, “How come you got that easy bit?” The duchess wore a bright green tweed blazer for the occasion, accessorized by her Daniella Draper gold shamrock necklace. The last time we saw her wear this particular piece of jewelry was when she paired it with matching shamrock earrings for the Cambridges’ tour of Ireland last year, which saw Duchess Kate sitting among locals and musicians in the snug of one of the west coast’s most famous pubs, as well as attempts from her and William at the traditional sports of hurling and Gaelic football. This visit is what William referred to when he continued, “We were so thrilled to be able to visit Ireland just over a year ago, a few short weeks before all of our lives were turned upside down by the pandemic,” adding, “We know that for Irish people all around the world today won’t be the same as normal, but we hope that you can celebrate safely in any case.” Meanwhile, Kate said, “The warm welcome that we received everywhere was a testament to the friendship between our two countries and the strength of the relationship between the UK and Ireland.” Controversially, it was during their trip to Ireland that William made light of COVID-19, joking that he and Kate were “spreading” it. He also said to a paramedic who worked with the National Ambulance Service, “I bet everyone’s like, ‘I’ve got coronavirus, I’m dying’, and you’re like ‘No, you’ve just got a cough’.” The Duke of Cambridge also asked whether the concern about the spread of coronavirus was “quite dramatic” and if it was “being a little bit hyped up.” In November it was revealed that William tested positive for COVID-19 in April, not long after his return from Ireland and around the same time that his father Prince Charles contracted the disease. His diagnosis was kept a secret because, according to a source, he “didn’t want to worry anyone.” Next up, ‘The Firm’: What Is It, And Why Did Meghan Use the Term To Describe the Royal Family?
