News
Prince Harry attends the Royal Norfolk Show
25th June 2008
Prince Harry attended the Royal Norfolk Show today to mark 100 years of the show's organiser receiving the Royal Charter.
He was warmly received as he toured the agricultural showground at Costessey, Norwich.
He was met by dignitaries and supporters of the show, including this year's President, head of the British Army Chief of General Staff Sir Richard Dannatt, who gave the go-ahead for Prince Harry to deploy to Afghanistan earlier this year.
Prince Harry was at the event to mark the centenary of the granting of the Royal Charter to the show's organiser, the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association.
The Prince stopped to talk to 14-year-old Robert Crawford, who is showing his Ayrshire cattle. He introduced Prince Harry to one of his prized specimens, Marshview Marie.
Robert said: "He was asking me what they judge the cattle on and I told him they're looking at the udders and the body."
Prince Harry made his way through the throng of people, chatting to Show Chairman Sir Nicholas Bacon.
In the woodland area The Prince tried his hand at lathe turning.
He was shown how to pedal the machine and use a chisel to make a garden dibber for planting by toolmaker Lois Beakhouse, 40, from Malvern, Worcestershire.
Ms Beakhouse said: "He was very interested in it. He genuinely seemed to enjoy it."
Ms Beakhouse added that much of the wood she uses comes from The Prince of Wales's Duchy of Cornwall Estate.
Prince Harry was treated to a lunch of Norfolk beef, salad and potatoes followed by English strawberries and shortbread mille feuille accompanied by local wines and apple juice before he left the showground today.
Prince Harry was also presented with a Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association tie, which depicts cartoon pigs, sheep, chickens and cows which he immediately put on, swapping it with his Household Division tie.
The show's president General Sir Richard Dannatt said: "He seemed quite happy with the tie - I think he wants to be part of the home team, it's fantastic to have him here."
Sir Richard said he was delighted that two serving soldiers, himself and Prince Harry, had been invited to today's event.