Royal Welsh 'a celebration of our heritage and people' Major Andy Butcher says as he opened the show

The Royal Welsh is 'A celebration of our land, our livestock, our heritage and above all people' said Major Andy Butcher has he officially opened the 2026 event.

Emma Morris, sales director at Trailhead Fine Foods Ltd in the food hall at the Royal Welsh Show. She was selling jerky selection boxes, cooked salt beef and jerky packs. The company has also recently sponsored the Man V Horse race in Llanwrtyd Wells and the Great Jerky Rally in Welshpool. | Andy Compton

placeholder image — Emma Morris, sales director at Trailhead Fine Foods Ltd in the food hall at the Royal Welsh Show. She was selling jerky selection boxes, cooked salt beef and jerky packs. The company has also recently sponsored the Man V Horse race in Llanwrtyd Wells and the Great Jerky Rally in Welshpool. | Andy Compton

Thousands of people packed into the showground in sun hats and summer clothes to watch one of the largest and most prestigious agricultural shows in Europe.

2. Harper Adams University graduate Tirion Lloyd with a snake specimen which had been coloured using a chemical to highlight its anatomy. The university was also running a Legacy Plate petition demanding agriculture be included on the national curriculum which will be taken to Downing Street, flood and drought effects on various farm types. | Andy Compton

The sun shined on the Royal Welsh Showground in Llanelwedd, and also shone a light on Brycheiniog, which is the county host of the event this year.

A Powys competitor showing a Hereford Bull in the main cattle ring. | Andy Compton

The crowds armed with ice creams, cold drinks and ice cream were enjoying walking around the thousands of exhibits and watching the highest quality livestock, produce and crafts being judged.

Major Andy Butcher, dignitaries and invited guests at the official opening of the 2026 Royal Welsh Show. | Andy Compton.

VIPs on the first say included celebrity television presenter Richard Hammond and his girlfriend Keira Glen, the new First Minister of Wales Rhun Ap Iorwerth and Llyr Gruffydd, Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability.

5. The Regimental Band of the Royal Welsh played to signify the official opening of the Royal Welsh Show. Andy Compton | Andy Compton

The show takes place until Thursday, July 23 2026 from 8am to 9:30pm daily.

Chair of the Royal Welsh Council, Nicola Davies said the show continues to be an important national occasion and she said she was pleased that various government ministers had joined them.

Wales First Minister Rhun Ap Iorwerth chats to some visitors at the Royal Welsh Show. Andy Compton. | Andy Compton.

She said in the first show since the Senedd Elections, the Royal Welsh had invited 96 Senedd Members to the event and 64 of them were attending during the week.

Major Andy Butcher speaks to the crowds as he opens the 2026 Royal Welsh Show. Andy Compton. | Andy Compton.

Nicola said it was a chance to see first-hand the people, businesses and communities that shape rural areas in Wales today, showcases the very best and makes a significant contribution to the national economy.

Crowds enjoying the sunshine alongside some of the cattle exhibits on the first day of the Royal Welsh Show. | Andy Compton.

Show President Gethin Havard said it was a huge privilege to be the President of Brecknock, an honour he never imagined.

He said: “I was proud of my community before, I can't tell you how proud I am of the people of Brecknock now. They sprung into action and they have supported us fully We have had some fun and laughs and its been a great opportunity to come together and show the best of what we have in these rich communities of ours.”

Stewards Clive Jones and Geraint Davies with judge John Hallett at the stickmaker competition in the forestry section. | Andy Compton

The president introduced Major Andy Butcher who officially opened the Royal Welsh Show.

He said: “It is a honour and a great pleasure to welcome everyone to this year's Royal Welsh Show. This remarkable event is more than a gathering, it is a living celebration of our land, our livestock, our heritage and above all, our people.”

He said the event would shine a light on Brycheiniog. He paid tribute to the President and his family, the Royal Welsh Ambassador Teleri Haf Thomas and who he said has shown that agriculture is not just about production its about people, connection and belonging.

“Its that sense of community that lies at the very heart of thid show. Farming is not simply an industry, its a way of life in Brecknock – people that have worked the land with skill, care and dedication. We celebrate those families that have created that legacy to take it onwards. Knowledge passed from one generation to the next and the deep understanding that the stewardship of the land today leads to a successful future tomorrow.”

Mr Alun Evans CBE FRAgS and Mrs Margaret Dalton OBE FRAgS cut a yarn of wool made by 28 members of the Brecknock Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers with Helen Roberts from the National Sheep Association, which created the sheep village with the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society. Andy Compton | Andy Compton

He then officially declared the show open as the Regimental Band of the Royal Welsh played.

Major Butcher was presented with a shepherd's crook by Hr Havard while flowers were presented to Mrs Ceri Havard, Teleri Haf Thomas and Wendy Rutter-Butcher.

Celebrity Richard Hammond and his girlfriend Keira Glen enjoying the Royal Welsh Show. | Andy Compton

Showcasing over 7,000 entries including cattle, sheep, pigs, and goats, the show is considered the pinnacle for Welsh farmers.

Thousands of top-tier animals are being judged, alongside the highly anticipated Supreme Championships and Young Handlers events.

There are also over 1,000 exhibitor tradestands, forestry and countryside sports displays, a horticulture village, and expansive food and drink halls.

In the main ring a non-stop 12-hour daily program of spectacular displays, concerts will entertain all.

The exciting line-up includes the Paul Hannam Quad Bike Stunt Show, the Shetland Pony Grand National, the RAF Falcons Parachute Team on the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (weather permitting), Hawkeye Falconry UK, Meirion Owen and the Quack Pack, the Regimental Band of the Royal Welsh, and a special Wales YFC display celebrating their 90th anniversary on the Monday of the Show.

The Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir will perform in the main ring on Monday, July 20.Formed by Jeremy Clarkson, the Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir was originally brought together as part of an advertising campaign for his Cotswolds-based brewing business.

Since then, the choir has grown into something far greater, using its platform to raise awareness of mental health within the farming community.

The group most recently captured the hearts of the nation by winning the 2026 final of Britain’s Got Talent, becoming the first ever choir to take the title.

The Food Hall will highlight the best Welsh and British produce, offering a wide array of artisan food and drink.

Cynefin Welsh Sheep Village, a new 2026 addition in collaboration with the National Sheep Association, is dedicated to sheep farming.

There are popular and traditional competitions displaying countryside skills such as wool handling and sheepdog trials and family fun activities for all ages.

For more information visit https://rwas.wales/royal-welsh/