THE Princess Royal is to be the guest of honour at this year’s Suffolk Show.

She will visit the show on its first day, Wednesday, June 1, at Trinity Park, Ipswich.

Officials of the Suffolk Agricultural Association, organisers of the annual two-day agricultural show, said they were delighted and honoured when they received the news that the princess is to attend the show.

They are now working on the details to include her in many aspects of the programme, particularly those that reflect her own interests.

Executive director Christopher Bushby said: “This will be the Princess Royal’s fourth visit to the show.

“The first was as Princess Anne in 1982, the second and third visits as the Princess Royal in 1998 and 2004 respectively.

“Her Royal Highness’s programme is currently being finalised but she is expected to visit all four corners of the show and present the Long Service Awards to individuals who have worked for more than 30 years in the agricultural industry.

“She will be meeting many different people representing many organisations that make up the show. Her visit will truly enhance what already promises to be a very exciting show and we are very delighted and honoured that she is attending,” he said.

It is highly likely that the Princess Royal, who is a member of the International Olympic Committee, will spend some time in the Suffolk Sports Village and bring welcome encouragement and a real boost to Suffolk’s Olympic and paralympic hopefuls who will be present.

Many of them will be attending and demonstrating their sports in this newly expanded area near the Foxhall entrance where the Olympic mascots Wenlock and Mandeville will also be present.

The public will also have a chance to try out many of the 25 Olympic sports.

The Princess Royal competed in the Olympic Games when, as Princess Anne, she was part of the British Olympic Equestrian Team in Montreal in 1976.

She is a patron and honorary member of the Suffolk Horse Society and is likely to take more than a keen interest in the many equine events around the show, including the new ridden classes for heavy horses.