HATHERLEIGH Carnival has announced its president and royalty for the 2017 event and there’s a real family connection for the young princess.

Hatherleigh Carnival Queen is Annie Strawbridge, who attends Okehampton College and has chosen to fundraise for Hatherleigh Brownies at this year’s carnival. The prince and princess are Harry Winearls and Zoe Wonnacott, both four years old.

Harry and Zoe have been the best of friends since they were born and the royal pair will be starting school together in September.

Harry’s mum Sophie and Zoe’s mum Nat were on a number of floats together from about the age of five and they too have always been friends. Zoe’s parents, Mark and Nat, were also prince and princess together many years ago.

Zoe has been on the family float every year since she was a baby but this will be the first time on a float for Harry, who has only taken part in last year’s afternoon procession.

The duo said they were already looking forward to this year’s carnival.

The president for this year’s carnival on Saturday, November 11 is Ady Taylor, the landlord of the Tally Ho pub on Market Street. Ady and his wife Victoria came from Exeter to manage the pub in July 2002, thinking it would be just for five years but gradually they fell in love with the town and are still here 15 years later.

Ady said he felt truly honoured to have been asked to be president and that he absolutely loved last year’s new event on the Friday night and Carnival night with music in the square. He said he was happy to once again supply some bands for this year.

Ady’s first duty as president was to present this year’s royalty with their sashes.