There were smiles from HRH King Charles III and Queen Camilla as the royal couple and their guests received a resounding welcome as they arrived at this year’s Braemar Gathering staged in the Princess Royal and Duke off Fife Memorial Park in the Highland village of Braemar.
King Charles was in kilt for the annual event, while Queen Camilla wore a blue coat with tartan collar. The Gathering was the third that the King has attended as monarch although he frequently attended while he was the Duke of Rothesay and with family as a youngster.
Other guests alongside the Royal couple included Absolutely Fabulous actress Dame Joanna Lumley and her conductor husband Stephen Barlow as well as peer and human rights lawyer Helena Kennedy-Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws.
The Gathering is perhaps the most famous event on the Highland Games circuit. Held close to the Royal Highland residence, Balmoral, it takes place every year on the first Saturday in September.
Traditional Highland Games
The popular event has been running in its present form since 1832. It is believed to have originated from ancient games held by King Malcolm III. It has been attended regularly by the reigning monarch and other members of the royal family since 1848, when Queen Victoria was a guest. At that time, it was held at Invercauld estate and Balmoral castle on a rotational basis. In 1866, by command of Queen Victoria, Royal was added to Braemar Highland Society title and, in 1906, the Duke of Fife presented 12 acres of ground in the village to create the Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park, the current home of the Braemar Gathering.
The event features a host of traditional Highland Games contests, including tug-of-war and the caber toss, along with performances from pipe bands and Highland dancers. The programme this year featured more than 80 individual events. The reigning monarch is patron of the Gathering and takes on the title of Chieftain.
The next Braemar Gathering will take place Saturday 5th September 2026. For details see: www.braemargathering.org
Main photo: King Charles and Queen Camilla in the Patrons Pavilion with Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws.
All images courtesy of the Braemar Gathering Annual.