14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
Princess Anne and Martin Clunes at Royal Welsh Show
HORSE lovers are in for a real treat at this year's Royal Welsh Show, with two famous faces attending the summer showpiece in Powys.
Self-confessed horse fanatic Princess Anne will be coming to the event's opening day in Llanelwedd, Builth Wells, while beloved British actor Martin Clunes will be judging the Royal Welsh Supreme Horse Championship, one of the events that brings down the curtain on the show, on its final day.
With a little more than a week to go until the Royal Welsh Show begins, activity in and around Builth is building. The show takes place from Monday to Thursday, July 21-24.
'In just two weeks, the 2025 Royal Welsh Supreme Horse Championship will take centre stage in the main ring, and we're thrilled to have actor and horseman Martin Clunes as our judge,' said the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS) in a post on its Facebook page this week.
'This prestigious event celebrates the very best of equine excellence. As president of the British Horse Society, Martin brings passion, warmth and a genuine love for horses to the role.'
Martin told the BBC: 'I'm slightly nervous, but one thing's for sure, I'll have a smile from ear to ear the whole day.'
The Supreme Horse Championship takes place on Thursday at 4.50pm.
Known for her love of horses and an equestrian career which saw her compete in the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games, it will be Princess Anne's seventh visit to the Royal Welsh Show, with her first back in 1981 and her last in 2022.
The Princess Royal, the king's sister, will visit the show on the opening day, attending in her capacity as president of the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth (RASC).
Her Royal Highness will participate in the RASC's AGM, held at this year's show, and will then tour the showground.
Her return reflects her ongoing support for agriculture and rural life.
'We are absolutely thrilled that the Princess Royal will be joining us at this year's Royal Welsh Show,' said Aled Rhys Jones, chief executive of the RWAS.
'Her Royal Highness has long been a passionate advocate for agriculture and rural communities.
'We look forward to sharing with her the many highlights of this year's event, including the exciting innovations and developments that have taken place since her last visit.'
The RWAS has also this week published details of its new map of the showground, which features for the first time the Heavy Horse Village.
'Freshly designed by Mwydro, a creative business based in Caernarfon, this year's map brings a bold new look while still guiding you to all your show favourites, and something brand new,' said the society.
'Say hello to the Heavy Horse Village, a new addition for 2025 alongside the traditions you know and love.
'Whether you're heading straight for the main ring or the cheese stalls, it's all here.
'Pick one up on arrival – or study it now if you like to plan your route down to the ice cream van.'
