Kate Middleton to hand out shamrocks to Irish Guard on St. Patrick’s Day

Hi Sharon, tbh the monarchy (the government) would have to apologise to the English as well. Why do you think so many English ended up in America? There is a nice painting, The Last of England, by someone called Ford Madox Brown, it's from 1855 (I had to cheat and look up the details). Anyway, you should see it. Happy St Patrick's Day.

It's hardly Kate's place to apologise. It would look and sound ridiculous coming from a girl who isn't royal by blood. And QE did apologise, even if cryptically, on her visit. Trevelyan and co. are dead and gone by the way.

Jaysus Niall,how often are you printing these hokey stories?

It's just a standing ceremony, don't get all mushy about it. Still I wait for the apology. Remember Trevelian, starvation, genocide? Sorry but I have been up to my neck in Irish research for my people who were forced to leave I have a strong feeling about it today. Hey, Kate, hows about that apology?

my missus not withstanding, she can give me a shamrock anyday.

The English-British never left Ireland. Even after partition, they kept the St. Patrick's cross in their union flag, despite the Irish leaving their union. They continued recruiting ambivalent Irish nationalists willing to accept the 'Saxon-shilling', to blur the distinction between Britian and Ireland. They continue to purloin our cultural motifs, rather than give up on their imperial erotic fantasy. I note she gives shamrick to the officer class, rather than have to handle the great unwashed bog Irish.

The Royal Irish Rangers are another regiment that are presented with shamrock on St. Patrick's day no matter where they are in the world. They wear it with pride in their corbeen. It was actually Irish Soldiers in the British Army who held the first St Patrick's day parades in New York.

Nice touch. President Obama, Irish on his mother's side, had to correct an error or correcting the four-leafed clover, for the shamrock- a frequent USA error as it confuses "the luck of the Irish" with the "lucky" four-leafed clover. The tiny shamrock has only the solid green colour, clover has whitish-specks on it. The Ireland-UK healing was advanced by HM QE11's visit last May and this is another delightful gesture.

Don't knock Clover. It's very good for you.

Will Kate be handing out Trifolium Dubium, or the fake clover stuff. Trifolium Dubium is long and stringy, it's the kind you pick up at the local shop, usually a large sprig or clump (dirt usually attached to roots), around St. Patrick's Day. Outside of that, I have only seen it growing in fields. Clover on the other hand, is quite similar to lawn grass. Grows taller, enjoys sunshine and has a rather large flower whereas Trifolium Dubium has a tiny flowers generally yellow or white or mixed. Seeds are similar. Clover can be grown in any climate, where trifolium Dubium needs cooler wet climate.