The iconic King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery will mark the 2016 Royal Three Counties Show this June. Offering the only opportunity to be seen outside of London, the King’s Troop will perform their world-renowned musical drive each day in the Main Arena of the landmark agricultural show. In the month of the Queen’s Official 90th Birthday, The Queen’s Band will also provide live musical accompaniment to the magnificent displays.

Ken Nottage, Chief Executive of the Three Counties Agricultural Society, said; “It is an enormous honour for the Royal Three Counties Show to welcome the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery. We are so privileged to host the troop at what is to be a momentous year for the show. We are deeply proud of our longstanding heritage, something we share with the Kings Troop and we hope visitors will thoroughly enjoy the incredible displays. This year we will celebrate the very best of British agriculture with the King’s Troop providing exceptional highlight to our 2016 event.”

The traditional ceremony of the Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery will dominate the Main Arena twice daily throughout the three-day show. This awe-inspiring spectacle sees teams of six horses each pulling First World War-era field guns. Each gun weighs one and half tonnes and is used to fire an earth shattering salute, most often seen at state occasion. The famous salute is choreographed to live musical accompaniment and promises to be a breath-taking display of synchronisation and unity.

Captain Nick Watson of the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery said; “We are so excited to be making a welcome return to the Royal Three Counties Show. 2016 is a very special year for the show and the Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery too as we celebrate our 300th anniversary. The Troop will be performing our iconic Musical Drive at the Royal Three Counties Show, which is the routine we will perform later in the month for the Queen’s Official Birthday when the eyes of the nation will be on us. The Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery has always thoroughly enjoyed the Royal Three Counties Show and is very much looking forward to coming back.”

Primarily a ceremonial unit, the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery was established in 1947. A decision by George VI declared that horse-drawn artillery should take part in ceremonies of state. The Troop form part of the Household Troops and, when on parade, takes precedence over all other regiments in the regular forces of the British Army.

Duties of the King’s Troop’s include the firing of Royal Salutes in Hyde Park and Green Park on state occasions, remembrance Sunday, Her Majesty The Queen’s Birthday Parade and royal anniversaries. The troop also provides a gun carriage and team of black horses for state and military funerals.

The Royal Three Counties Show will take place from Friday June 17 until Sunday June 18 2016. Tickets are now on sale. Advanced adult tickets are priced from £18 and from £16 for Three Counties members. Family and children's tickets are also available and tickets can be purchased on the gate.

For information on ticket prices and further information on the show, please visit www.threecounties.co.uk/threecounties or call 01684 584900.