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Kent County Show launches with royal visit

Bob Dale
BBC News, South East
Getty Images The Duchess Of Edinburgh visiting RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival. She has shoulder length blonde hair and has her glasses perched on the top of her head.Getty Images
The Duchess of Edinburgh will be guest of honour at the first day of the Kent County Show

The Kent County Show for 2025 begins on Friday, with a royal visit to mark the first day.

The Duchess of Edinburgh will visit the showground at Detling, near Maidstone, in her role as patron of the Association of Shows and Agricultural Organisations.

The show, which runs till Sunday, features livestock, machinery, demonstrations, trade stalls, local food producers and even show jumping events.

BBC Radio Kent will also be broadcasting its breakfast show live from the event on between 06:00 and 10:00 BST.

Kent County Show A prize bull is led around a display ring at the Kent County Showground in Detling, Maidstone, by an attendant wearing dark trousers, a white coat and a white shirt and dark tie, with the number 57 on their chest. A judge, wearing green cords, a blue shirt and a dark tie, is examining the bull from behind.Kent County Show
Livestock competitions are a central part of the show

The show's general manager Nikki Dorkings said: "It is an honour for us to welcome HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh back to the Kent County Show to see the incredible hard work, passion and dedication to country life that will be on display."

The Duchess last visited the event in 2009.

Phil Harrison/BBC A blonde woman smiling and standing next to a large camel.Phil Harrison/BBC
Daisy Fossett from Joseph's Amazing Camels is displaying her animals throughout the event

Matthew Cullen, chairman of the Kent County Agricultural Society, said: "A visit by HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh, a dedicated supporter of rural communities throughout the UK, highlights the importance of supporting and celebrating our agricultural industry within the county.

"We are excited to be able to show HRH some of the tireless work the society does in promoting the vital role that food producers play, and to meet with some of our supporters."

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