Queen gives Braemar Highland Games royal seal of approval

The Queen has made her annual appearance at the Braemar Highland Games.

She was joined by the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales and the Princess Royal at the gathering in the Aberdeenshire village on Saturday.

The Braemar Gathering is held a short distance from the royals' summer retreat on the Balmoral estate and attracts the biggest crowds of the Highland games season.

As patron of the event, the Queen, along with Prince Charles - the Duke of Rothesay as he is known while in Scotland - the Duke of Edinburgh and the Princess Royal joined thousands of spectators at the annual event.

Wearing a lilac, wool crepe dress with matching coat and hat, the Queen was presented with a posy of flowers before taking a seat in the royal pavilion to watch the action.

Prince Philip and Prince Charles were both wearing kilts.

Held at the Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park, the Games take place on the first Saturday of every September and attract visitors from around the world to watch a variety of traditional events including piping, Highland dancing and tug-of-war contests.

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.

Traditionally, the royals attend a church service at nearby Crathie Kirk the day after the Games.