The 2026 Royal Welsh Show has drawn to a close after four days of competitions, entertainment, food, sport, shopping and family attractions.
Thousands of visitors from across the UK and beyond flocked to the showground at Llanelwedd to celebrate Welsh and British agriculture, with livestock once again taking centre stage.
The show’s prestigious competitions attracted exhibitors from across the country, with some of the finest animals in Europe competing for coveted titles.
The Supreme Beef Champion title was awarded to Larahill Violet, a Charolais heifer exhibited by Mike and Melanie Alford and bred by John O’Connor.
The Supreme Champion Dairy Cow title went to Corringham Lambda S Gremlin, a Holstein cow bred and exhibited by A Salter-Chalker and D W & C E Jones.
In the sheep ring, the Supreme Champion title was won by a Suffolk shearling ewe bred and exhibited by Arnold Oare, while the Pig Supreme Champion was awarded to a Duroc bred by Morgan Halliday and exhibited by Pigs Dyfodol Pedigree.
The Royal Welsh Supreme Horse Champion title was won by Glyncoch Capoeira, a Welsh Cob Section D brood mare bred and exhibited by Glyncoch Stud.
A new Charles Arch Memorial Award was introduced this year in memory of the long-serving Royal Welsh commentator, who was a passionate supporter of young talent and the Welsh language.
The award, which recognises an outstanding young handler, was presented to Iestyn Llyr Hughes after he was named Champion Young Handler in the Beef Cattle Section.
The show also welcomed Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh on Tuesday for her first visit in her role as Patron of the Association of Show and Agricultural Organisations.
The Duchess toured the showground, meeting exhibitors, staff, volunteers and Royal Welsh Society members.
More than 64 newly elected Members of the Senedd also attended the event, which was the first Royal Welsh Show since the Senedd elections in May.
Away from the competition rings, visitors enjoyed a packed programme of entertainment, including the return of the Paul Hannam Quad Bike Stunt Show and the first appearance of the Shetland Pony Grand National.
The Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir also performed in the Main Ring, with thousands watching their rendition of Calon Lân.
The Meirionnydd Shearing Centre hosted the Six Nations Shearing Championship, where Wales claimed victory over England, Scotland, France, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
The Welsh team, led by manager Rhys Jones, included Champion Shearer of Wales Gwion Lloyd Evans and Llyr Jones.
New attractions included the Welsh Sheep Village, Cynefin, while the Food Hall, Welsh Food and Drink Village, Horticulture Village and Heavy Horse Village proved popular with visitors throughout the four days.
Royal Welsh Agricultural Society chief executive Aled Rhys Jones said the event had been “a tremendous week”.
He said: “One of the highlights was seeing the Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir perform in the Main Ring. Thousands came to watch around the ringside, with over 3,000 people packed into the Grandstand.
“When they sang in Welsh for the very first time, singing Calon Lân, all 3,000 in the Grandstand rose to their feet in applause. What a moment.”
Mr Rhys Jones also thanked exhibitors, stewards, sponsors, judges, traders, members and contractors who helped deliver the show.
“Thank you so much to everybody who supported this year's Royal Welsh Show and to the incredible team at the Brecknock Feature County, led with great distinction by our President, Mr Gethin Havard and his wife Ceri,” he said.
“The bar was set extremely high with a fantastic Moliant y Maes on the Sunday evening which set the tone for the rest of the week.
“We’re pleased with all the feedback we’ve had for the new additions this year, including Cynefin our new sheep village.
“Our thanks to all those who play their part in making this show such a special and important occasion, from exhibitors, stewards, sponsors, judges, traders, members and all our contractors.
“We cannot wait to see you all back in Llanelwedd again this time next year. Diolch o galon i chi gyd."
The Royal Welsh Show will return to Llanelwedd, Builth Wells, from July 19-22, 2027.
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