MALVERN'S Royal Three Counties Show is now even more royal after The Princess Royal accepted an invitation to become its patron. Over the years Princess Anne, who lives in Gloucestershire at Gatcombe Park, near Stroud, has become a regular visitor to the the Blackmore showground and her flagship appointment will give additional credence to its work to promote food, farming and rural enterprise.

Three Counties Agricultural Society chief executive Ken Nottage said: “We are naturally delighted Her Royal Highness has agreed to be patron of our show. As a resident of Gloucestershire, she has a strong personal connection with one of the counties our organisation represents, and has always been supportive of events here. A Royal patronage adds weight to our efforts to make the Royal Three Counties the very best it can be, and I am sure that Her Royal Highness’s presence at shows will be a source of delight for all the exhibitors, competitors, traders, visitors, staff and volunteers, who play a part in staging the event each year.”

The Princess Royal is very familiar with the Three Counties Showground, having first visited in 1976, and served as the Society’s President in 1981. In 1986, she was in Malvern again to open the new members’ complex overlooking the main arena and in 2006, she attended the National Pony Society’s 100th Summer Championship Show and the National Sheep Association Show. In 2010, she was guest of honour at the Malvern Spring Gardening Show (now the RHS Malvern Spring Festival), as part of its 25th birthday celebrations.

This year's Royal Three Counties Show will take place on June 13-15.