ROYALS and rock stars, cannonballs and cattle, rugby players and rural pursuits - they'll all be at this year's Three Counties Show. With immaculate timing, considering his recall to the England squad, there will also be the David Beckham Football Academy.

However, Goldenballs - so nicknamed for the quality of his cross-field passing - is unlikely to be there in person, as Posh probably wants to go shopping in LA.

But if Mrs Beckham did prefer the grassy open spaces of the 70-acre showground in the shadow of the Malvern Hills, she would be bound to find something to exercise her credit card in the variety of sophisticated shops and outlets in the Country Living Village or among the 600 tradestands.

She may need to be careful not to step in anything after the Grand Parade of Livestock, but then this is one of the nation's top agricultural shows, where town meets country with something for everyone - and there will be a few sounds and smells you don't normally find in Knightsbridge.

However, for once Brand Beckham will find itself upstaged. Because this week it was announced proper royalty will be attending, too.

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall are dropping by to spend around five hours at the show on Friday, June 15, its opening day. They will tour the showground watching displays, visiting stands and presenting awards, including the Three Counties Agricultural Society long service medals.

It will be the first time Prince Charles has visited the Three Counties since 1978 and a lot of water has passed beneath his matrimonial bridge since then. But at least Camilla, who before her royal marriage was a keen follower of Gloucestershire's Beaufort Hunt, should be well at home.

The 2007 show, which runs from 9am on Friday, June 15 to 6pm Sunday, June 17, will be the 50th to be held on its permanent site at Blackmore, near Barnards Green, Malvern, and the occasion is being celebrated by the firing of a cannon, out of the mouth of which will come a man, not an iron ball.

David Smith Jnr will travel all the way from Pennsylvania, USA, to be propelled a distance equal to the width of the average football pitch, so this is some aerial adventure.

At the end of his journey he will hopefully land on a giant airbag. It will be no comfort to David that 30 human cannonballs have been killed attempting the feat.

Back on terra firma the show will go on.

Chief executive Nick Vincent said: "We hope this will be one of the best Three Counties Shows ever and the visit of their royal highnesses will be the icing on the cake. The introduction of zones in 2005 gave the event greater clarity in terms of layout, making everything easier to find and concentrating specialist interests and attractions in particular areas.

"The move was supported by exhibitors, traders and the general public alike and this year we have two new villages', a learning village and a music village with a very diverse live music programme from country to jazz to African.

"Plus, of course, the Legends concert on Saturday night, which is a rock concert from top sound-alike' artists performing as stars like Elvis Presley, Freddie Mercury and Tom Jones, to name just a few."

Also new this year is a Wool Show, incorporating sheep breed societies, a fleece competition and spinning, weaving and knitting workshops. While on display again is the society's very own late 18th century shepherd's collection, complete with original shepherd's hut.

Television gardener and award-winning designer Chris Beardshaw's Three Counties Garden, built for the Malvern Spring Gardening Show in May, will remain for the Three Counties Show.

Show visitors will be able to meander along its cinder paths, see rare breed pigs in the authentic sty, and Ryeland sheep grazing in the meadow.

The Young Farmers' Clubs will be out in force again for 2007, with a programme that promises to be fast-moving, action-packed and highly entertaining with classes for everything from sheep shearing, stock judging and poultry boning to aerobics, line-dancing and cake decorating.

As well as soccer, that will include an inter-schools football tournament on Friday, the sports village will feature rugby with stars from Gloucester such as England captain Phil Vickery.

There's also a regional cookery theatre, comprehensive country sports village, a military village, a flower show, horse logging, vintage vehicles, a rare breeds show, grass track racing, antiques, tug-of-war and a real ale and cider tent.

There's something for everyone indeed, with ticket prices starting at £13 for adults and £6.50 for children. The under fives are admitted free entry.