The Wheat King was a distinction given to the winner of the world wheat championship. In this 1951 photograph, Howard Roppel can be seen with his prize-winning sheaf here, along with his parents, all of whom travelled from Rockyford, Alberta for the Royal. Many of the worldwide Wheat Kings have been Canadian, due in part to the development of Marquis wheat. Roppel was a junior competitor, one of a handful to be crowned Wheat King over the years.

Royal Agricultural Winter Fair Archives