A young cattle farmer was surprised to be handed a top trophy by the Princess Royal after winning a championship title close to her heart.
Princess Anne toured the livestock rings during her visit to the Royal Norfolk Show, and seemed particularly thrilled to present the best of breed trophy for the Beef Shorthorn cattle - as she is patron of the Beef Shorthorn Cattle Society.
The winner was 20-year-old William Clarke, based at Hevingham, between Norwich and Aylsham, where he keeps Beef Shorthorns as well as Simmentals and Limousins.
He said he enjoyed his brush with royalty after claiming his trophy.
"It was good," he said. "I knew she was coming, but we didn't expect to be winning overall champion. It was a bit of a shock.
"She was interested in what we are doing and where we are from and what we've got."
He said he was pleased to win the trophy with a January 2025-born heifer which is the daughter of his farm's first shorthorn cow, bought five years ago at the Yorkshire Show.
"The trophy has got names going back to 1920," he said. "It has got a lot of top breeders names on it, and a lot of people have nearly got their names on it. So it is great to get your name on that cup - and to have it presented by royalty makes it even better.
"We are fairly new to the job as well. It is our third year showing shorthorns now."
He said the winning animal was "ever so correct in her walking, style, with really good presence, and really well-shaped", adding: "She is the best."
The Beef Shorthorn competition was one three national breed society shows at this year's Royal Norfolk Show, along with Belted Galloways and British Simmentals.
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