In Pictures: Royals watch Highland games at Braemar Gathering

The event is considered a favourite of the royals. Credit: PA Wire/PA Images

The King and Queen have joined the crowds at Braemar Gathering, the annual Highland games held near their Aberdeenshire estate.

The event is considered a favourite of the royals, with Charles regularly in attendance alongside his late mother, who was chieftain of the games.

King Charles and Queen Camilla during the Braemar Gathering Credit: Andrew Milligan/PA
The Queen wore an outfit by Mr Roy Credit: Andrew Milligan/PA

Last year Charles cut a heather rope to mark the opening of the Queen Elizabeth Platinum Jubilee Archway structure during the event, held shortly before his mother’s death.

Crowds from across the globe watch competitors demonstrating feats of strength, dexterity and stamina as they take part in traditional Scottish sporting events such as the caber toss, hammer throw, and tug-of-war.

A competitor receives a plaque from the Princess Royal and King Charles III during the Braemar Gathering highland games. Credit: PA Images
An athlete tosses the hammer during the field events Credit: Andrew Milligan/PA
Tug-of-war competitors take the strain Credit: Andrew Milligan/PA
The foot races are said to be some of the longest to be continually staged Credit: Andrew Milligan/PA
The stone is another traditional sport Credit: Andrew Milligan/PA

Cultural arts are also on show with Highland dancers and pipe bands.

The competition was closely watched by fellow dancers Credit: Andrew Milligan/PA
The judges were also keeping a keen eye on proceedings from their booth Credit: Andrew Milligan/PA
The Braemar Gathering highland games are held a short distance from the royals’ summer retreat at the Balmoral estate in Aberdeenshire Credit: Andrew Milligan/PA

The gathering is always held on the first Saturday in September in The Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park in Braemar.

While Braemar has hosted gatherings since the days of King Malcolm Canmore 900 years ago, the event has been run in its present form since 1832.

The King was wearing a kilt in the new King Charles III tartan during his visit.

The King Charles III tartan, named after the monarch, is green, blue and red and was designed by the Scottish Tartans Authority earlier this year to mark the coronation.

John McLeish, chair of the Scottish Tartans Authority, said: “Our iconic national cloth has a distinct style and evokes deep feelings of belonging, making it the best-known and best-loved fabric in the world.

“The King is an ambassador for tartan, Highland Dress, and the traditions of the Highlands.

“We are honoured that His Majesty has agreed that a new tartan should be created in his name.“

Young dancers seem delighted by the action at the Aberdeenshire sports day Credit: Andrew Milligan/PA
Pipe bands march in front of the pavilion ahead of the arrival of members of the royal family Credit: Andrew Milligan/PA
A hammer is carried back to the throwing circle Credit: Andrew Milligan/PA

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