The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society would like to wish Her Majesty The Queen a very Happy 90th Birthday.

The society’s royal connections go back to 1907 when, three years after the foundation of the society, King George V became patron, followed by King George VI in 1936. The Queen took over the role in 1952 and remains our patron to this day.

In an extract taken from society’s 1952 journal, the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society’s chairman, Sir Bryner Jones, wrote about the Queen’s decision to become our patron:

“… my first duty must be to express our deep sense of gratitude that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has graciously intimated her intention of continuing the patronage which her late father King George VI and her grandfather, King George V, had extended to the society. By her gracious decision to allow her name to be linked with our society, she has given ample proof of her concern for the future prosperity of Welsh agriculture. It is our earnest hope that Her Majesty may be spared to enjoy a long, happy and peaceful reign.”

But it was in 1947 that the then Princess Elizabeth had her first official role in the society as our Honorary President for the year. During her time as president, the Princess visited the Royal Welsh Show, held in Carmarthen during that year, and undertook ‘a triumphant tour of the showground’. An extract from the 1947 show report described the visit:

”Princess Elizabeth visited the show on the opening day and was accorded an ovation on her progress to and from the showyard, which, at times, became almost embarrassing in its fervour. Her Royal Highness then made a speech’ in the course of which she evoked great enthusiasm by her reference to ‘this lovely land of Wales’”.