The final day of the 2026 Great Yorkshire Show marked a major milestone in the event’s 167-year history when it was revealed that Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal would be the Show’s President in 2027.

Just before the Show’s closing ceremony, retiring President Nick Lane Fox handed over the honorary President role to Rodrica Straker of Burton Constable Hall, who takes over immediately. It was also announced that The Princess Royal was the new President Elect and will formally become President at the end of the 2027 Show.

The Princess Royal has been a regular visitor to the Great Yorkshire Show, first attending in 1992 and then subsequently in 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022.

She becomes the first royal President since HRH The Duchess of Kent in 1972 and follows in the footsteps of the Show’s first female President, her great aunt Princess Mary, later The Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood, who took the role in 1937, 1951 and 1957.
HM King Charles III has been the Society’s Patron since 1998 and has also been a frequent visitor, attending in 1999, 2006, 2011, 2015 and 2021.

Show Director Rachel Coates said: “It is an immense honour that The Princess Royal has agreed to be our Show President in 2027/2028. She is always hugely popular with visitors and brings a deep understanding of agriculture and rural life.”