Golden Guernsey Goat to be granted Royal title

The rare breed from the island will now be called the Royal Golden Guernsey Goat.

The title will be officially confirmed at a special ceremony on Tuesday during the King and Queen’s visit to Guernsey when an engraved brass goat bell on a collar will be placed around the neck of Summerville Tamsin, an eight-year-old female Golden Guernsey Goat.

The goat’s owner, Rebecca Martin, said she and her family were thrilled with the news of the new Royal title.

‘We have been sitting on the secret for a couple of months hoping that it would all be finalised but not being able to tell anyone,’ she said.

‘It is wonderful news. It will give a much higher recognition of the breed, and will hopefully safeguard their future, and raise their profile, not just nationally but internationally too.’

Rebecca’s nine-year-old son, Joe, will play a special part in proceedings on Tuesday, carrying the brass goat bell on a cushion.

‘I’m sort of a bit nervous and not nervous,’ he said.

‘I’m excited as I’m the only one from my school who is going to meet the King and Queen, and nervous in case I mess something up.

‘Tamsin will be fine – she does shows all the time and is very friendly. She is naturally polled, which means she doesn’t have horns, so the King should be able to get the collar round her neck without any trouble.’

Rebecca’s mum, Linda, who is secretary of the Golden Guernsey Goat Breed Society, will also meet the Royal couple.

‘I actually met them before when they were here 12 years ago,’ she said.

‘We had the goats in Saumarez Park, one of which was Tamsin’s mum, Violet.

‘Camilla actually left her security behind to come and pet them. They were both really pleasant and obviously had a genuine interest in the breed.’