One IS amused! Queen wraps up warm at Highland games as she shares a joke with Charles and Philip while admiring the action 

  • The annual Braemar Gathering is held in Aberdeenshire a  short distance from the royals' Balmoral estate
  • The Queen joined thousands of people cheering on competitors in events such as the tossing of the caber
  • She was accompanied by Prince Philip and Prince Charles and looked in high spirits dressed immaculately in red 

Her legs draped in a checked blanket, the Queen looked in good spirits as she cheered on competitors at the Braemar Gathering – the biggest event in Scotland's Highland Games calendar.

The 89-year-old monarch was pictured laughing and pointing as she took in the action alongside the Duke of Edinburgh and Prince Charles. They were joined in the royal pavilion by Peter Phillips and his wife, Autumn.

As patron of the Games, which are held just a short distance from the royals' summer retreat on the Balmoral estate, the Queen joined thousands of spectators to cheer on participants in the tossing of the caber and tug of war contests.

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Royal fans: The Queen goes to the event every year, a tradition which has lasted since Queen Victoria first attended in 1848

Royal fans: The Queen goes to the event every year, a tradition which has lasted since Queen Victoria first attended in 1848

Upcoming speech: On Wednesday, the Queen is expected to make a rare public speech thanking her subjects for their support as she celebrates being the country’s longest-reigning monarch
Good spirits: The Queen was seen laughing as she watched the games,

Good spirits: The Queen was seen turning to share a light-hearted moment with Prince Philip, who was seated to her right

Enjoying the fun: Her Majesty, dressed immaculately in red, looked in high spirits as she watched the event today

Family affair: The Queen, Prince Philip and Prince Charles soak up the atmosphere at the Braemar Gathering

Family affair: The Queen, Prince Philip and Prince Charles soak up the atmosphere at the Braemar Gathering

Day out: The monarch was seen offering a commentary to the Duke of Edinburgh, who was seated next to her in the royal pavilion

Day out: The monarch was seen offering a commentary to the Duke of Edinburgh, who was seated next to her in the royal pavilion

Greeting: The Queen received flowers
The wind catches the headgear of a Pipe Major during the Braemar Royal Highland Gathering

Greeting: The Queen received flowers. Right, the wind catches the headgear of a Pipe Major during the Braemar Royal Highland Gathering

Did you see that! Prince Charles watched the festivities alongside Autumn Phillips, right, who is married to his nephew, Peter Phillips

Did you see that! Prince Charles watched the festivities alongside Autumn Phillips, right, who is married to his nephew, Peter Phillips

Pipe bands and dancers also performed to the crowd at the Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park.

The gathering takes place on the first Saturday of every September and attract visitors from around the world.

Queen Victoria first attended in 1848 and since then it has been regularly visited by the reigning monarch and other members of the royal family.

Last year the Queen was accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales.

Royal welcome: The Queen receives flowers from children at the annual event in Aberdeenshire today

Royal welcome: The Queen receives flowers from children at the annual event in Aberdeenshire today

Tradition: Prince Charles once again joined his mother the Queen at the event, which is held close to the Balmoral estate
The Queen today

Tradition: Prince Charles once again joined his mother the Queen at the event, which is held close to the Balmoral estate

Taking a closer look: The Duke of Edinburgh used binoculars to watch the games with the Queen, Prince Charles and Autumn Phillips

Taking a closer look: The Duke of Edinburgh used binoculars to watch the games with the Queen, Prince Charles and Autumn Phillips

The Duke of Edinburgh wore a red tartan, which complimented the Queen's red ensemble
Autumn and Peter Phillips

Elegant: The Duke of Edinburgh wore a red tartan, which complimented the Queen's red ensemble. Right, Autumn and Peter Phillips

Summer event: The Duke of Edinburgh, the Queen, Prince Charles, and Autumn and Peter Phillips stood together at the games

Summer event: The Duke of Edinburgh, the Queen, Prince Charles, and Autumn and Peter Phillips stood together at the games

Classic: The Queen kept out the chill with a long red coat, which she teamed with a matching red dress and hat
The monarch carried a patent leather handbag

Classic: The Queen kept out the chill with a long red coat, which she teamed with a matching red dress and hat

Arrival: The Duke of Edinburgh, pictured standing behind the Queen and Prince Charles arrive at the event in Aberdeenshire today

Arrival: The Duke of Edinburgh, pictured standing behind the Queen and Prince Charles arrive at the event in Aberdeenshire today

Braemar Royal Highland Charity, which organises the event, said: 'Every gathering is a memorable occasion and that of 2015 will be no exception.'

On Wednesday, the Queen is expected to make a rare public speech thanking her subjects for their support as she celebrates being the country’s longest-reigning monarch.

She seldom makes public speeches, instead preferring pre-recorded addresses such as the Christmas speech, or scripted ceremonial speeches such as at the opening of Parliament or at State banquets.

The Daily Telegraph reports that the Queen will address the nation from a newly built railway station in Tweedbank, near Galashiels.

It is expected that she will speak as she unveils a plaque to officially open the Borders Railway line, to the sound of a brass band.

Autumnal colours: The Queen looked elegant in a rich red jacket and hat for the event, which she wore with dark gloves 

Autumnal colours: The Queen looked elegant in a rich red jacket and hat for the event, which she wore with dark gloves 

Taking in the action: Prince Charles looked engaged as he watched the games alongside his mother and Autumn Phillips

Taking in the action: Prince Charles looked engaged as he watched the games alongside his mother and Autumn Phillips

Getting involved: Pipe bands and dancers also performed to the crowd at the Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park

Getting involved: Pipe bands and dancers also performed to the crowd at the Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park

The gathering takes place on the first Saturday of every September and attract visitors from around the world

Launch: A participant throws the hammer during the Braemar Highland Gathering today

Launch: A participant throws the hammer during the Braemar Highland Gathering today

Tossing the caber: Queen Victoria first attended in 1848 and since then it has been regularly visited by the reigning monarch and other members of the royal family
A competitor tosses the caber

Tossing the caber: Queen Victoria first attended in 1848 and since then it has been regularly visited by the reigning monarch

Release: The man winces as he lunches the heavy object into the air during the Braemar Gathering in Aberdeenshire today

Release: The man winces as he lunches the heavy object into the air during the Braemar Gathering in Aberdeenshire today

Pulling for their lives: A team of men take part in the tug-of-war, a traditional Braemar Games event

Pulling for their lives: A team of men take part in the tug-of-war, a traditional Braemar Games event

Heave, ho! Competitors take part in the tug of war match at the Braemar Games before the arrival of the Queen

Heave, ho! Competitors take part in the tug of war match at the Braemar Games before the arrival of the Queen

Funa and games: A band of bag-pipers arrive at the Braemar Games before the arrival of the Queen

Funa and games: A band of bag-pipers arrive at the Braemar Games before the arrival of the Queen

Performance: Two dancers whirl around on stage in front of thousands of spectators

Performance: Two dancers whirl around on stage in front of thousands of spectators

 

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