Princess of Wales gives biggest hint yet she and Prince William, and their children, could soon return to Australia

The Princess of Wales says she and Prince William, and their three children, hope to return to Australia but "it's finding time to do that".

Catherine made the comments to Corporal Adam Hamilton, an Australian reservist, as she attended the St Patrick's Day parade at Wellington Barracks, in central London.

It was Kate's first solo parade as Colonel of the Irish Guards, a role she took over from her husband in late 2022, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Watch the video above.

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The princess was able to attend Monday's events this year after illness forced her to cancel in 2024. A week earlier, Kate sent her apologies to the regiment after missing its rehearsal – the Colonel's Review – something she would usually be present for. Days later, Kate revealed to the world that she had been diagnosed with cancer following major abdominal surgery in January.

She then took several months off to undergo chemotherapy, making only a handful of public appearances before the end of her treatment in September.

This January, Kate confirmed she was in remission.

Her return to the St Patrick's Day parade overnight marks yet another step towards a busier program of public events.

Wearing a dark green Alexander McQueen coat, a Lock & Co hat, her gold Cartier shamrock brooch and green amethyst Kiki McDonough earrings, Kate presented operational medals to soldiers who had recently returned from deployment in Iraq, as well as long service and good conduct medals, before joining the parade outside.

Kate first debuted the brooch in 2011 and is now its exclusive wearer. It was last seen in 2024 when the Princess of Wales attended Trooping the Colour, when the Irish Guards took the lead in the ceremony as the sovereign's escort.

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The princess presented traditional sprigs of shamrock to officers and guardsmen, as well as Turlough Mor, also known as Seamus, the regiment's Irish Wolfhound mascot.

She then took the Royal Salute during a march-past.

Following the parade Kate met with servicemen and women, and their families, inside the barracks including Irish Guards veterans and junior cadets from Northern Ireland, known as Mini Micks.

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In the junior ranks' dining hall, Senior Guardsman Barry Loughlin proposed a toast in the princess's honour before the soldiers gave her three cheers.

Kate, holding a half pint of Guinness, then revealed that she had put money behind the bar for this year's celebrations, saying: "It's the least I can do".

The princess spent time speaking with the soldiers about their experiences during deployment overseas.

She told Australian Corporal Hamilton that Prince George often spoke about wanting to return to Australia and said he can't believe he's been.

She and Prince William travelled here in 2014 for their first official visit, bringing a baby Prince George who was just nine-months old, also taking him to New Zealand on the same trip.

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Speaking of a possible return she said: "It's finding time to do that".

"But I love to travel – yes, it's a long flight. But I love the Middle East because that's familiar to me growing up. There are so many opportunities now to travel, I think it's brilliant to experience it.

"We tend to go further afield when it's official visits – it's being able to carve out time to experience these countries in a more private capacity.

"Because otherwise you end up seeing lots of insides of amazing buildings but you don't get to meet that many people. It's making sure that you can combine a bit of work with the children. I might see you down there!"

In May, 2023, days before the coronation, 9honey spoke to Prince William about a potential royal tour Down Under.

The Prince of Wales was asked by 9honey when Australians should expect a visit by the Wales family.

"Very soon," Prince William told 9honey's royal reporter Natalie Oliveri. "Where are you from in Australia?"

He was told Sydney, to which he replied, "Oh, I love Sydney, we've been there a few times.

"We've had some good times in Sydney. We'll be back soon."

There has long been speculation the Prince and Princess of Wales would soon bring their children Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six, to Australia.

Their last, and only, tour of Australia was in 2014. There were rumours the family was preparing to visit in the wake of the devastating Black Summer bushfires, and south-eastern floods, in 2020 but the coronavirus pandemic swiftly shut down those plans.

In October, King Charles and Queen Camilla toured Sydney and Canberra in their first visit to a Commonwealth realm since the coronation.

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