Queen and Royal Family due at Braemar Gathering

The Queen is expected to make her traditional appearance at a Highland Games today.

The Royals enjoy the Braemar Gathering in 2006. Picture: Getty

The Braemar Gathering is held each year just a short distance from the Balmoral estate in Aberdeenshire, where the Royals spend their summer break.

The Queen is patron of the event where thousands of spectators gather to cheer on participants in the tossing of the caber and tug of war contests. There are also prizes for piping and Highland dancing.

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

The Queen took up residence at Balmoral Castle at the beginning of August and is expected to stay until October before returning to London.

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.

Last year the Queen was joined in the Royal Pavilion by the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales and the Princess Royal.

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