THE DUCHESS OF EDINBURGH

STYE COUNCIL AS SHE LEARNS ABOUT SUSTAINABLE FARMING IN SOMERSET

With the King and the Prince of Wales on reduced duties and the Princess of Wales out of action, the Duchess of Edinburgh has been quietly doing her bit to keep the royal show on the road for the past few months. And she went the whole hog during an engagement at the Bath & West Showground in Somerset, where she had an encounter with a sleepy sow and her piglets.

Sophie, 59, who has been patron of the Association of Show and Agricultural Organisations since 2012, joined youngsters taking part in the annual Field to Food Learning Day at the venue. Getting stuck in to a variety of “plough to plate” activities, the mother of two learnt about arable farming, horticulture, food and machinery.

As well as sampling produce and chatting with local producers, the Duchess watched a sheep-shearing display and listened to a lamb’s heartbeat through a stethoscope. But it was the porcine new mum who really caught her attention. Invited inside the pen with a young friend (left), Sophie held the little girl’s hand as they crouched down in the hay and stroked mother and babies.

After leaving the showground, Sophie made a visit to the Yeo Valley Organic Garden in North Somerset (far left). She was shown around by head gardener Sarah Mead and also met her mother-in-law Mary, who started the organic dairy brand with her husband Roger in 1961.

Sophie also learnt about new sustainable farming and gardening projects and an initiative with The Trails Trust to give greater access to the countryside, before enjoying a cream tea with staff and volunteers.