The Duchess of Cambridge is making a tradition of wearing her Emilia Wickstead coatdress on St Patrick's Day. Last year she attended the Irish Guards' Parade with her green outerwear belted at the waist and teamed with chocolate brown suede heels and a matching 'Betty Boop' hat by Lock and Co, which she's also worn more recently for a wedding in earlier this mornth and appearance at the Cheltenham Races on Friday. This year Kate and William visited the Mons Barracks in Aldershot, Hampshire, for a St Patrick's Day parade and the now pregnant Duchess styled the coat sans belt and accessorised with Episode ‘Angel’ heels and her Cornelia James black wool gloves. Kate got into the spirit of the occasion with a golden three-leaf clover and sprig of shamrock pinned to her coat while William indulged in a tipple of Irish sherry in the Regiment Hall after the parade.

It may have been an official engagement, but Kate certainly let her guard down as she chatted to soldiers from the 1st Battalion Irish Guards. Guardsman Lee Wheeler, 29, revealed how the Duchess confessed her desire to have a baby boy, despite William's wish for a girl. He explained: 'I asked her "do you know if it’s a girl or boy", and she said "not yet". She said "I’d like to have a boy and William would like a girl". That’s always the way.'

L-R: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as children

Earlier this month on a visit to the Prince's Trust- funded venue in Grimsby a lady in the crowd told reporters that Kate had inadvertently slipped out that she was expecting a baby girl. But with the Duchess still holding out hopes for a boy it seems more likely that the royal couple has left the sex of their child as a surprise. Either way judging by Kate and Wills' childhood photos we think the baby will be a cutie...

For more looks from the Duchess, take a look through Grazia's Kate Middleton Look Book below.