Cold snap can’t keep “Chieftan” Elizabeth from her games

Cold snap can’t keep “Chieftan” Elizabeth from her games

Accompanied by a kilt-clad Prince Charles, Her Majesty bundled up against a cold snap to attend one of her favorite outings in Scotland.

Scotland's Braemar Gathering, a highland games competition, has taken place in some form for nine hundred years. 

Always held on the first Saturday in September at The Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park, the annual event is organised by the Braemar Royal Highland Society and has been running since 1832.

Held in the small Aberdeenshire village of Braemar, the games see Scotland’s finest compete in traditional events such as hammer throwing, a tug of war and tossing the caber.

Pipe bands and Highland dancers also performing at the historic event.

Queen Victoria was the first royal to attend in 1848 and since then the reigning monarch and other members of the Royal Family have regularly visited it.

The Queen, who is patron of the Highland games, was resplendent in a bright purple outfit and matching hat as she joined 15,000 cheering spectators.

Held a short distance from her summer residence, Balmoral, the monarch regularly attends the games and serves as its "Chieftan”. 

Wearing sunglasses and wrapped up against the cold under a blanket, Her Majesty looked very much still in holiday mode – relaxed and enjoying herself. 

Prince Charles, who is known as the Duke of Rothesay in Scotland, was joined by his wife The Duchess of Cornwall.