His brother, Prince William, Duke of Cornwall, and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, charmed huge crowds with their first-ever joint public engagement at the Royal Cornwall Show. This event was their first shared event in two years. Since its establishment in 1793, the event has celebrated the region’s rich Cornish heritage. It combines elements of agriculture, food and beverage, entertainment, and really fun competition.
The event drew hundreds of onlookers hoping to get a glimpse of the royal couple. Prince William, aged 42, donned a checked blazer over a blue shirt, paired with dark trousers and a blue tie. Meanwhile, 60-year-old Sophie showcased her style in a brown suede skirt complemented by a light pink blouse and an olive-green jacket.
As patrons of agricultural societies, both royals assume important positions within the agricultural community. Prince William is a proud patron of The Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association. In other farming patronage roles, Sophie is the patron of the Association of Agricultural Show Organisations (ASAO) and is Vice President of The Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association. Their participation at the fair was a testament to their dedication to supporting and expanding local and regional agriculture and food systems.
Throughout their visit, Prince William and Sophie were personable, warm and engaging with members of the public, sharing banter and selfies with admirers. The couple couldn’t believe their luck, as they tried food and drink from dozens of local vendors. From Cornish gin to organic apple cider, dishes and drinks illustrated the area’s sumptuous culinary history. Interestingly, Prince William was recently caught on camera grabbing a Cornish pasty, a local delicacy.
The pair toured the Royal Cornwall Food and Farming Pavilion. This pavilion is famous for being the home of the most illustrious prizes, including the Best Newcomer and the Overall Cornish Food Champion. Their visit highlighted the need to have our region’s agricultural successes recognized in our hometown.
