Shamrock star Kate

OH Vienna... a three-year-old girl and her friend almost stole the show from the Princess of Wales at the Irish Guards' annual St Patrick's Day parade yesterday.

- REBECCA RUSSELL Deputy Royal Editor

Youngsters Vienna Mills and Mila English, three, made Catherine laugh as their excitement at meeting the royal bubbled over.

Their dads, who serve in the Irish Guards, were receiving long service and good conduct medals from the Princess, colonel of the regiment.

Vienna, whose father Lance Sergeant Mills led the drums and pipes in the parade, jumped up and down with joy as Catherine crouched down to greet her.

"Are you excited?" the Princess asked Vienna, before telling her she had “beautiful hair” and applauding when the little girl twirled in her blue dress. Catherine offered her hands to Vienna, who took them before swinging towards the floor. The Princess then laughed as she pulled Vienna to her feet.

Lovely