Mr Marshall, from Barnstaple, North Devon, said she was "very relaxed".

Initially, the plan had been for the Countess to hold the bird using a falconer's glove, but Mr Marshall said he was "quite pleased" that she settled to touch the bird. He said: "I don't tend to let people stroke Sampson, but she's a very special visitor."

Later, the Countess, who was wearing an elegant dark blue trench coat and a summery patterned dress, split away from her husband. At her request, Sophie spoke to managers who source produce for Sainsbury's and the Co-op, while Edward visited the armed forces enclosure.

Major Laura Batchelor, recruiting officer for the Exeter area, said the Earl took a "genuine interest" in speaking to troops who had recently returned from Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Earl is Colonel of The Rifles and the Royal Wessex Yeomanry, and spoke to soldiers serving with both, as well as cadets and members of the 243 Field Hospital.

Major Batchelor said: "He was particularly interested in talking to those who had served with the field hospital. Most of them are NHS workers, and he asked about the transition from that the intensity of what they do in the war zone to returning to their usual jobs,"

After lunch, the Earl and Countess presented a series of awards in the presidents' enclosure.

Among the recipients was Clive Basey-Fisher, who was given the Prince of Wales award for honour for his work at Whitsleigh Game Farm, at Roborough, near Winkleigh in North Devon.

He and his wife Elizabeth diversified out of arable farming, and now invite school children and the public to learn about their work, as well as recruiting apprentices to learn new skills. He said the award was "completely unexpected", and said Prince Andrew seemed "extremely interested" in the work.

The Earl handed out awards to pig rearers and the pair visited the bee exhibit. The royal couple also visited the food tent, and during their tour they were presented with a hamper of Devonian produce.

They spoke to Paddy Wallace, of Quince Honey Farm at South Molton in North Devon.

He said the Earl had asked about various aspects of honey production, and the crucial role bees played in the environment.

He said: "He was very friendly. I think it's fantastic that he takes such an interest."

The culinary theme continued when the Earl and Countess were presented with a copy of the Devon County Show cook book, and Sophie tried her hand at making sausages.

Deborah Custance Baker, steward of the spring sausage feature, said Sophie was now a "convert". "She piped the sausages and even linked them. There are a lot of good home cooks who can't do that," she said.