A TOP royal is set to become the next President of the Great Yorkshire Show.
On the final day of this year's Great Yorkshire Show on Friday, it was revealed that Princess Anne will take up the honorary role for 2027/2028.
The Princess Royal, who first visited the show in 1992 and has attended regularly since, will be the first royal president since the Duchess of Kent in 1972.
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She follows in the footsteps of her great aunt, Princess Mary, who served as the show’s first female president in 1937, 1951, and 1957.
Her brother - HM King Charles III - is also a keen supporting and has been both the Society’s Patron since 1998 and a frequent visitor, attending in 1999, 2006, 2011, 2015 and 2021.
Show director Rachel Coates said: "It is an immense honour that The Princess Royal has agreed to be our show president in 2027/2028.
"She is always hugely popular with visitors and brings a deep understanding of agriculture and rural life."
HRH The Princess Royal visiting the 163rd Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate. (Image: Kate Mallender)
Just before the Show’s closing ceremony, retiring president Nick Lane Fox handed over the 2026/2028 presidency to Rodrica Straker of Burton Constable Hall.
Rachel added: “It has been an incredible four days at the Great Yorkshire Show. We've had fine weather, the highest standards of competition and some really thrilling moments.
"I hope everyone who visited the Show has taken away a little bit of extra appreciation for British food and how it is produced, and we look forward to welcoming you back in 2027.
“I would like to thank our outgoing President, Nick Lane Fox for his invaluable contributions over the last 12 months.
"The Show's success really is the sum of all of the contributions made by our volunteers, staff and stewards, and I'm hugely grateful to everyone, including our visitors, who have made this record-breaking Great Yorkshire Show such a wonderful occasion in its 167th year.”
Outgoing President Nick Lane Fox hands over the Presidents Crook to New President Rodrica Straker (Image: Provided)
Princess Anne will formally take on the presidency at the end of the 2027 show.
In other highlights from the final day, Yorkshire’s Best Young Farmer was named as 22-year-old Emily Fretwell from Penistone.
Meanwhile, Harriet Cowan, who has gained a following through Clarkson’s Farm, appeared on the Ariat GYS Stage with TV presenter Christine Talbot to discuss her farming life, previous career as a nurse, and recent television fame,.
She also presented the first place in the Beef Young Handlers class to thirteen-year-old Abbie Jackson-Carr from Carlecotes, near Sheffield, with her Hereford cow JC1 Marigold and in livestock competitions.
Harriet Cowan visits the 2026 Great Yorkshire Show. Harriet presents Abbie Jackson-Carr, 13, with her beef young handlers award (12-14yrs) . Abbie is from Carlecoates nr Sheffield (Image: Provided)
The Margaret Chapman Beef Pairs concluded the beef cattle section, native champions were Herefords, while the Continental title went to British Simmentals and the champion beef group went to British Limousin, led by AWJ Farms' Whinfellpark Rebecca and her calf.
In the sheep section, Katie Bachelor won the Overall Pair of Lambs Championship with her Suffolk sheep.
Supreme Champion Best in Show Ivor Flatman (Image: Kate Mallender)
Katie said: "I am from a farming family and always wanted to have Suffolks. I thought the Blue Texels would win so I am really pleased. It makes a long week worth it."
In the Hives and Honey section, retiring chief steward Ivor Flatman took home the Best in Show trophy, while Josephine Anderson was named Supreme Champion Beekeeper.
A North Yorkshire based British Saanen named Dalestone Britney was crowned Best Goat in Show on Friday - with owner Mark Bond had also won dairy awards with milk and cheese from her.
Supreme Champion Goat Dalestone Britney a British Saanen (9yrs) with owner Mark Bond from Catterick (Image: Simon Dewhurst)
Three years ago, Dalestone Britney also won Best Goat in Show and Mark said the win was “extra-special” because of Dalestone Britney’s age.
He said: “You always hope you win just once but twice, at nine, is extra-special. She has done tremendously and we are ecstatic.”
Michael Longton of Lancaster won the sheepdog trials with his six-year-old dog, Max, while tree surgeon Dan Whelan retained his title in the Great Yorkshire Pole Climbing championship by reaching the top of the pole in 9.16 seconds.
Next year’s Great Yorkshire Show will take place from Tuesday July 13 to Friday July 16, 2027.
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