The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society’s flagship event officially opened today with a vibrant ceremony celebrating Welsh agriculture, culture, and community spirit. The 2025 Royal Welsh Show — Wales’ premier agricultural showcase — welcomed thousands of visitors to the Llanelwedd showground for an outstanding start to the four-day event.
Royal Welsh Show 2025 Opens with Celebration of Heritage, Agriculture and Community
The 2025 Royal Welsh Show was officially opened today with a moving ceremony that celebrated the richness of Welsh culture, the strength of rural communities, and the enduring importance of the agricultural industry in Wales.
Chair of Council, Mrs Nicola Davies FRAgS, welcomed members and dignitaries to the event, reflecting on the pivotal role of the Society in championing Welsh agriculture and rural life.
“The Show is a very important platform to promote the very best of the agricultural industry that we all hold so very dear,” she said.
She went on to highlight the agricultural sector’s wider value:
“It underlines its importance, not only economically, but socially and culturally too.”
Mrs Davies paid warm tribute to the 2025 Feature County, Caernarfonshire, and thanked its fundraising committees for their outstanding work in raising awareness and vital funds to support capital developments at the showground. She acknowledged their dedication, “ably led” by this year’s RWAS President, Mr John R Owen.
Inspired by the county’s beauty, Mrs Davies also introduced this year’s specially commissioned “Cerdd Croeso” (Welcome Verse) by celebrated Welsh poet Myrddin ap Dafydd, which she recited during the ceremony.
Mr John R Owen, the Society’s President for 2025, then addressed the audience, expressing his pride and honour in representing Caernarfonshire as Feature County. He reflected on his family’s long-standing connection with the Show, stretching back to the 1950s.
“I have no doubt that the founders of the Society are looking down in much admiration of today’s standards and achievements,” he said.
Mr Owen then invited well-known broadcaster and author Mr Dei Tomos to officially open the Show. In his address, Mr Tomos described the Royal Welsh as “the main Welsh festival” for many, and echoed Mrs Davies’s comments on the significance of agriculture to the economic, social and cultural life of the nation.
He reminisced fondly about his early experiences at the Show in the 1980s, first as a news reporter and later as a broadcaster for S4C. He paid tribute to the many individuals who shaped his journey and reflected on the legacy of the event’s founders, particularly those who chose Llanelwedd as its permanent home. “One of the most important elements of the Royal Welsh Show is friendship,” he said.
Mr Tomos also remembered the late Huw Griffith and his Shire Horses, proudly noting that his grandson, Rhys, now continues that legacy as this year’s RWAS Ambassador—one of many who follow in the footsteps of previous generations to keep farming and rural life alive in Wales.
In closing, Mr Tomos thanked the Society and Mr Owen for the invitation and formally declared the 2025 Royal Welsh Show open.
During the afternoon’s Awards Ceremony, Dylan Jones, Castellior, Menai Bridge, Anglesey was announced as the winner of the prestigious Sir Bryner Jones Memorial Award, which featured the beef industry for the first time in 30 years.
Heavy Horse Village Proves Popular New Addition
A major highlight of this year’s show was the official opening of the new Heavy Horse Village — a dedicated area celebrating the legacy and ongoing role of working horses in Welsh agriculture. The village featured interactive exhibits, live demonstrations, and opportunities for visitors to meet these gentle giants and their handlers, along with new turn-out competition classes.
Ukrainian Cossacks Wow Crowds in Main Ring
The opening day’s main ring programme was headlined by the Ukrainian Cossacks, whose dazzling displays of traditional horsemanship and acrobatics captivated showgoers. Their performance blended cultural storytelling with elite equestrian skill, providing a memorable experience for all ages.
Additional main ring attractions included the Bolddog FMX display team, the Tristar Carriage and the RAF Falcons Parachute display team.
Livestock Competitions Showcase Agricultural Excellence
Renowned for its livestock competitions, the Royal Welsh Show once again drew top entries. Cattle, sheep, pigs, and horses were judged across multiple classes, reflecting the exceptional quality of breeding and stockmanship in Wales.
Judges praised the high standards across all categories, with opening day competitions setting a strong tone for the week ahead.
Royal Visit Adds Prestige
A special highlight of the day was the visit of HRH The Princess Royal, Patron of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society. Her Royal Highness toured the showground, engaging with exhibitors and visitors, and emphasising the event’s national significance and its contribution to British agricultural life.
The Show Continues Until Thursday
The Royal Welsh Show runs until Thursday 24th July, with a packed programme of competitions, displays, trade stands, entertainment, and family activities. With its unique blend of tradition and innovation, the show continues to be a cornerstone of the Welsh rural calendar and a celebration of excellence in farming and countryside life.