‘Drop of whiskey in the milk?’: Cheeky major offers parenting advice to Kate as the royal mother visits the soldiers of the Irish Guards

• The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge celebrated St Patrick’s Day at a traditional Irish Guards parade
• Prince William, who has been Colonel since 2011, paid a visit to 1st Battalion’s base in west London with Kate
• After being presented with flowers the Duchess of Cambridge is jokingly given some advice on how to keep a baby sleeping by Major Ben Irwin-Clark  

A cheeky major offered parenting advice to the Duchess of Cambridge as she celebrated St Patrick’s Day with husband William by watching the traditional parade of the Irish guards today.

William, who has been colonel of the regiment since 2011, arrived with Kate on this morning for the couple’s annual visit to the 1st Battalion at its base in Hounslow, west London.

During their visit, in a tradition stretching back more than a century, Kate presented sprigs of shamrock to officers and warrant officers, before a march past where her husband took the salute.

After watching the 350 soldiers march on Parade Square Kate was given a cheeky piece of parenting advice while cooing over a 12-week-old sleeping newborn.

Kate was visiting the 1st Battalion at its base in Hounslow, west London, today and met a sleeping newborn called Rory

The Duchess of Cornwall met the proud parents and Major Ben Irwin-Clark joked ‘a drop of whiskey in the milk’ kept his young son resting peacefully

He quickly added ‘not its a joke’ much to the amusement of Kate Middleton, who then offered up her own maternal wisdom

As the adorable infant slept, Major Ben Irwin-Clark joked ‘a drop of whiskey in the milk’ kept his young son resting peacefully.

But he quickly adds ‘no its a joke’, causing the group to laugh at the quip.

Kate later asked the company commanded of number two company, ‘Is he a good sleeper?’

‘Oh well enjoy, it just gets better and better,’ she added, imparting some maternal wisdom as she waved goodbye.

Since 1901, when the regiment was first founded by order of Queen Victoria, the tradition has traditionally been presided over by a woman – with the exception of 1950, when King George VI presented the shamrocks to mark the regiment’s 50 anniversary.

The shamrock’s three heart-shaped leaves represent Ireland and the Holy Trinity. God and country and, on St Patrick’s Day every year, it’s handed out to Irish Guards who fight and die in the British Armed Forces.

In times of war, the shamrock is shipped out to them to be tucked into their Kevlar helmets, and for those at home the ultimate honour is to have it presented by a senior female member of the royal family family.

The tradition which began in 1901 later became the trademark of the Queen Mother who maintained it until she died – once missing her favourite day’s racing at Cheltenham to be at the St Patrick’s Day parade.

It was later taken up by Princess Anne, however since 2012 the duty has fallen to the Duchess of Cambridge whose husband is the current royal colonel of the Irish Guards.

Kate has attended every year since – except for 2016, with her decision to remain at Anmer Hall with her two young children causing controversy – and is dressed in head-to-toe green.

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