The Princess Royal will visit Cape Town on 3 and 4 November 2026 to attend the 31st Commonwealth Agriculture Conference in her capacity as President of the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth (RASC), according to an announcement by the UK Government on 27 October.
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The conference will bring together agricultural leaders and emerging farmers from across the Commonwealth to discuss key challenges and opportunities shaping the future of global agriculture. The agenda will focus on leadership, climate resilience and the development of more sustainable and resilient agricultural systems at a time when climate change, food security and changing global markets are placing increasing pressure on farming communities.
Beyond the conference, the visit will highlight the longstanding relationship between the United Kingdom and South Africa through engagements spanning digital entrepreneurship, agricultural trade and the recognition of military service.
The Princess Royal is expected to meet township entrepreneurs participating in the UK-South Africa Tech Hub’s Township Digital Market Access programme. The initiative supports small businesses in adopting digital tools and using e-commerce platforms to expand their reach and connect with customers across South Africa. The engagement will showcase the role of digital technology in strengthening local businesses, improving market access and creating opportunities for entrepreneurs operating in township economies.
Agricultural and commercial cooperation will also feature during the visit. The Princess Royal will travel to a stud farm in the Western Cape to learn about a new bilateral trade protocol governing the export and import of horses between South Africa and the United Kingdom. The protocol represents an area of practical cooperation between the two countries, with potential implications for equestrian industries and related trade activities.
Another engagement will recognise the historical ties between the countries through a meeting with South Africa’s last known surviving World War II veteran and his family. The Princess Royal will thank him for his service, acknowledging the contributions of those who served during the conflict and preserving their place in the shared history of the two nations.
Lisa Weedon, Acting British High Commissioner to South Africa, welcomed the upcoming visit, describing it as an opportunity to celebrate the people and partnerships underpinning bilateral relations. She highlighted the importance of farmers, entrepreneurs and veterans in demonstrating the depth of the UK-South Africa relationship, pointing to new trade opportunities and support for township businesses as examples of what the two countries can achieve through cooperation.
The visit comes as agricultural resilience, digital inclusion and the diversification of trade opportunities remain important priorities for economies across the Commonwealth. By combining participation in a major agricultural gathering with engagements involving small businesses, trade and historical remembrance, the Princess Royal’s programme is expected to draw attention to the breadth of cooperation connecting the United Kingdom and South Africa.
