The Duchess of Edinburgh joined packed crowds at Llanelwedd as Welsh agriculture, livestock, food and rural traditions took centre stage during the four-day event
A ROYAL visit, a landmark performance by the Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir and victory for Wales in the Six Nations Shearing Championship were among the highlights of the 2026 Royal Welsh Show.
Large crowds packed into the Llanelwedd showground during four days of sunshine to celebrate the very best of Welsh and British agriculture, food production and rural life.
The Duchess of Edinburgh attended the show on Tuesday, making her first visit in her role as patron of the Association of Show and Agricultural Organisations.
A longstanding supporter of farming, food production and rural communities, the Duchess toured the showground and met exhibitors, staff, volunteers and members of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society.
Another memorable moment came when the Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir performed the Welsh hymn Calon Lân in the main ring.
It was the choir’s first official performance in Wales since winning ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent and received a warm response from the crowd.
Livestock remained at the heart of the show, with exhibitors travelling from across the country to compete for some of the most prestigious prizes in British agriculture.
The supreme champion beef title was awarded to Charolais heifer Larahill Voiet, exhibited by Mike and Melanie Alford and bred by John O’Connor.
Corringham Lambda S Gremlin, a Holstein cow bred and exhibited by A Salter-Chalker and David Jones, was named supreme champion dairy cow.
In the sheep section, Arnold Oare claimed the supreme championship with a yearling Suffolk ewe, while the pig supreme champion title went to a Duroc bred by Morgan Halliday and exhibited by Pigs Dyfodol Pedigree.
Four days of equestrian competition culminated in the Royal Welsh supreme horse championship, which was awarded to Glyncoch Capoeira, a Section D Welsh Cob brood mare bred and exhibited by Glyncoch Stud.
A new Charles Arch Memorial Award was also presented during the grand parade in memory of the much-loved Royal Welsh commentator.
Charles served the show for more than four decades and was known for his commitment to encouraging young talent and promoting the Welsh language.
The inaugural award, which recognises an outstanding young handler, was presented to beef cattle champion Iestyn Llyr Hughes.
Wales also celebrated success in the Meirionnydd Shearing Centre, where the home team won the Six Nations Shearing Championship.
Champion Shearer of Wales Gwion Lloyd Evans and Llyr Jones, led by team manager Rhys Jones, defeated teams representing England, Scotland, France, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
New Zealand took victory in the Wales versus New Zealand Machine Shearing Test under the guidance of manager Digger Balme.
The main ring programme included the return of the Paul Hannam Quad Bike Stunt Show, while the Shetland Pony Grand National made its first appearance at the Royal Welsh.
More than 64 newly elected Members of the Senedd attended the show, reflecting the event’s importance as a meeting place for farmers, rural communities, industry representatives and policymakers.
New attractions included Cynefin, the Welsh Sheep Village, while the Food Hall showcased produce from businesses across Wales and further afield.
The Welsh Food and Drink Village, Gwledd, featured live performances from the BBC Radio Cymru stage, while the Horticulture Village hosted demonstrations and talks.
The Heavy Horse Village also celebrated the heritage and continuing importance of working horses.
Aled Rhys Jones, chief executive of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, described the show as a “tremendous week”.
He said: “One of the highlights was seeing the Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir perform in the main ring.
“The engagement we’ve had on social media has also been absolutely sensational, with more than two million views across our channels.
“Thank you so much to everybody who supported this year’s Royal Welsh Show and to the incredible team from the Brecknock feature county, led with great distinction by our president, Gethin Havard, and his wife Ceri.
“We are pleased with all the feedback we have received about the new additions this year, including Cynefin, our new sheep village.
“Our thanks go to everyone who plays their part in making this show so special.”
The 2027 Royal Welsh Show will take place from July 19 to 22.
