Irish Guards mascot at Palace for Royal Wedding

Taking part in ceremonial duties for the royal wedding will be a family affair for the Irish Guards, its members said today.

The regiment, of which Prince William is Colonel, will perform key roles on the day, providing the Queen’s Guard at Buckingham Palace, St James’s Palace and the Tower of London.

In addition, four Irish Guards have been personally chosen by William and his bride-to-be Kate Middleton to act as path-liners, lining the entrance to Westminster Abbey for the happy couple.

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Members of the regiment have just returned from a six-month tour of duty to Afghanistan, with some of those taking part in the wedding arriving in the UK today and tomorrow.

A total of 45 members of the regiment will form the Queen’s Guard.

Their regimental mascot, two-year-old Irish wolfhound Conmael, will also be on duty outside Buckingham Palace.

Dog handler and drummer Oliver Vaughey said of Conmael at the Palace: “Normally he goes into the guardroom, has tea and toast and a red apple, and then comes back out.”

Click play to view an interview with Oliver Vaughey, as he talks of his preparations for the big day.