Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, skipping St Patrick’s Day tradition for her children

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, has decided not to attend the St Patrick’s Day celebrations for the first time in five years, earning her criticisms for apparently neglecting her duty. Prince William’s wife, more commonly known as Kate Middleton, has pulled out of the ceremony with the Irish guards and put her family first.

Since becoming a member of the royal family, Kate has presented shamrocks to soldiers every year from 2012. She married William in April 2011 and took over the duty from Princess Anne the following year.

However, for the first time in five years, Kate has opted out of the ceremony, leaving William to attend by himself. The 115-year-old tradition has been carried out by a female royalty since Queen Alexandra began handing out shamrocks to soldiers in 1901. There are few instances when a male family member took over the role as well.

A royal source the Telegraph that the 34-year-old mother of two would be at home in Norfolk with Prince George, 2, and Princess Charlotte, 10 months. She apparently wanted to “focus on her family” before she travels to India and Bhutan for a one-week visit from April 10. George and Charlotte will be left at home while their parents attend their official engagements.

“The Duchess has very much enjoyed the occasions when she has been able to attend, but the Duke is the Colonel of the Regiment and is looking forward to presenting the Irish Guards with their Shamrock,” a spokesperson from the Kensington Palace confirmed. “The Duchess looks forward to marking St Patrick’s Day with the Irish Guards many times in the future.”

Her decision to spend the day with her children has caused some uproar on social media, with her critics claiming she should have performed her duty because not doing so is a sign of disrespect to the Irish soldiers and the tradition.

There were also others who were supportive of her dual role as a member of the royal family and as a mother of two young children.

Her husband was also recently labelled as “workshy” by critics after he has missed official engagements for the past year. William was forced to defend himself by telling ITV News that such accusations were just “part of the job.”