One is amused! The Queen in high spirits watching traditional Scottish sports at Braemar Highland Games alongside Princes Philip and Charles

  • The Queen was spotted giggling and cheering on competitors at the Braemar Highland Gathering in Scotland
  • She wore a cream jacket, matching hat, black gloves and placed a tartan rug over her lap as she watched the events
  • As patron of the Aberdeenshire-based Games, she was joined by the Duke of Edinburgh and Prince Charles
  • Thousands of spectators turned out to watch the participants in the tossing of the caber and tug of war contests
  • With the referendum looming, this could be the last time the Queen attends the Games with Scotland still part of UK
  • The Games can be traced back more than 900 years and were attended by Queen Victoria in 1848

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Draped in traditional tartan, the Queen looked in good spirits as she cheered on competitors at the Braemar Gathering in Scotland – the biggest event in the Highland Games calendar.

Clearly amused by the antics, the 88-year-old monarch was pictured giggling and gesturing as she sat alongside her husband and Prince Charles during today’s main events.

As patron of the Games, the Queen joined thousands of spectators to cheer on participants in the tossing of the caber and tug of war contests.

With the independence referendum looming, this could be the last time that the Queen attends the Braemar Games with Scotland still a part of the UK.

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Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles enjoying today's action at the  Braemar  Games - the biggest event in the Highland Games calendar 

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles enjoying today's action at the Braemar Games - the biggest event in the Highland Games calendar 

Highland Dancers competes during the Braemar Royal Highland Gathering in Braemar, Scotland

Dressed in different tartans, two Highland dancers take to the stage to compete in one of the day's dancing events - where entrants could win up to £100

Queen Elizabeth II receives a bouquet of heather from a young girl as the Prince of Wales looks on as they attend the Braemar Royal Highland Gathering in Braemar, Scotland
Queen Elizabeth II makes presentations during the Braemar Highland Games

The Queen looked delighted as she received with a bouquet of heather from a young girl, left, before she presented a man in military uniform with an award, right

The Queen joined thousands of spectators to cheer on participants as they got muddy while competing in the tossing of the caber and tug of war contests

The Queen joined thousands of spectators to cheer on participants as they got muddy while competing in the tossing of the caber and tug of war contests

ueen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales look on during the Braemar Highland Games
A competitor throws the Braemar Stone during the Braemar Royal Highland Gathering in Braemar, Scotland

The Queen was joined by her son Prince Charles for the Games, where they watched competitors in the stone put (right) - an event similar to the modern-day shot put

The Braemar Gathering is held each year just a short distance from Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire, where the royals spend their holidays

The Braemar Gathering is held each year just a short distance from Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire, where the royals spend their holidays

A Highland Dancer competes during the Braemar Royal Highland Gathering in Braemar, Scotland
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales waves during the Braemar Highland Games

Dressed in tartan, Prince Charles waved happily at the crowds attending the traditional event, where several Highland dancing competitions took place

Queen Elizabeth (centre), the Duke of Edinburgh (left) and Prince of Wales look on as a procession walks past the royal pavilion

Queen Elizabeth (centre), the Duke of Edinburgh (left) and Prince of Wales look on as a procession walks past the royal pavilion

She wore a cream jacket, matching hat and placed a tartan rug over her lap
The Queen is the patron of the Games and joined thousands of spectators today

She wore a cream jacket, matching hat and placed a tartan rug over her lap as she took her seat at the Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park, west of Aberdeen

The Queen and Prince Philip stand as they watch a piper march past the royal pavilion
Crowds look on as the Queen arrives at the Royal Highland Gathering

Prince Philip and the Queen stand as they watch a piper march past the royal enclosure, left, where crowds gathered to catch a glimpse of the Royal Family

She wore a cream jacket and matching hat, placing a tartan rug over her lap as she took her seat in the royal pavilion.

Camilla Parker Bowles was noticeably absent from the traditional event, after being spotted relaxing on a boat in Ibiza.

Prime Minister David Cameron, who joined The Queen at the Games in 2011 – following in the footsteps of previous PMs such a Tony Blair, who made three appearances – also missed the day's celebrations. It is thought he was advised that it would not be constitutionally appropriate.

Held at the Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park, west of Aberdeen, the Games take place on the first Saturday of every September and attract visitors from around the world.

The Braemar Gathering is held each year just a short distance from Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire, where the royals spend their holidays. Traditionally, the royals attend a church service at nearby Crathie Kirk the day after the Games.

It has a long history and dates back more than 200 years in its modern form.

But there have been Gatherings of one sort or another at Braemar since the days of King Malcolm Canmore, nine hundred years ago.  

Queen Victoria first attended the Braemar Gathering in 1848. Since then it has been regularly visited by the reigning monarch and other members of the Royal Family.


Queen Elizabeth chatted happily with her son Prince Charles as they watched the action unfold at the annual celebration of Scottish and Celtic culture and heritage

Queen Elizabeth chatted happily with her son Prince Charles as they watched the action unfold at the annual celebration of Scottish and Celtic culture and heritage

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles watch as people dress in military uniform gather in front of the royal pavilion
Queen Elizabeth II attends the Braemar Royal Highland Gathering in Braemar, Scotland

The Queen looked elegant in a cream jacket as she was presented with a bouquet of heather (right), while Prince Charles looked relaxed and comfortable in his seat

Massed Pipes and Drums during the Braemar Royal Highland Gathering in Scotland. The Queen enjoyed watching the traditional processions

Massed Pipes and Drums during the Braemar Royal Highland Gathering in Scotland. The Queen enjoyed watching the traditional processions

Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh and Queen Elizabeth II leave the Braemar Highland Games
Queen Elizabeth II makes presentations during the Braemar Highland Games on September 6, 2014 in Braemar, Scotland

Crowds gathered to watch the Queen and Prince Philip as they left the event on Saturday afternoon (right) where earlier the Queen had presented awards (right)

The family looked very relaxed as they giggled and flicked through a programme of the day's events - which included sack and relay races

The family looked very relaxed as they giggled and flicked through a programme of the day's events - which included sack and relay races

The Queen enjoyed watched traditional events including tossing of the caber and tug of war contests
She also enjoyed the bagpipe bands

The Queen enjoyed watched traditional events including tossing of the caber, tug of war contests as well as the bagpipe marching bands

 

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