A retired royal protection officer told of the King and Queen's love of one of Norfolk's quintessential summer events as he stood down as its chairman.
David Reeve has had his hand on the tiller of the Sandringham Flower Show for 26 years.
The former chief superintendent took on the role before he retired from the force in 2001.
As well as chairing the committee that organises the event, he would also escort its Royal patron on their tour of its colourful marquees, gardens and other attractions.
He began with the late Queen Mother, who in later life took to a golf buggy painted in her racing colours after suffering a fall at Sandringham.
Refusing to let age or frailty get in her way, she attended her final show in 2001 - the year before she passed away at the ripe old age of 101.
In the late 1990s, she would be accompanied by the then Prince of Wales, now King Charles III, who faithfully attends each year with Queen Camilla.
"Every year, you witness them at events, whether you're talking Chelsea Flower Show or major events worldwide," he said.
"Yet here they are at a little village show, where they're able to show so much enthusiasm, support and knowledge."
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Mr Reeve, now 77, said the event was a particular favourite of the Royal Family's.
"Whenever I saw the late Queen and Duke of Edinburgh, they would always ask me about the show," he added.
"I had the advantage of having known them as a policeman, so I was relatively comfortable in their presence and they knew me.
"I was always able to talk quite naturally with the King as we walked around. He's not just a figurehead, he has a genuine interest in the show.
"It's a genuine interest in horticulture, the development of different flowers and vegetables."
Mr Reeve paid tribute to the committee of volunteers who organise each summer's show - held religiously on the last Wednesday in July.
During his tenure, the event has raised more than £800,000 for charities and good causes in and around west Norfolk.
"I've been very lucky the show has not had to be led by me because I've had a very good committee," he said.
"Much of the pattern of the show has been in place for years. My role was to keep it going, maintain its traditions and introduce a few new elements.
"It's an extension of the old village fete, it is behind its time. When I first took over, we changed the layout of the site and some people were aghast - it hadn't changed for years.
"There aren't many shows you go to where people are exhibiting carrots, broccoli and spring onions."
Mr Reeve said he would remain a committee member and looked forward to attending this year's event on July 31.
"I haven't stood down for any other reason than age," he said. "I'm nearly 80, I'm 78 next month.
"You can't go on forever. The physical demands were huge and I think it's nice to go out on a high."
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