King Charles Attends First Braemar Games of Reign Before Anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s Death

King Charles ends the summer with a favorite event on the royal calendar.

The King, 74, attended the Braemar Royal Highland Gathering in Braemar, Scotland, on Saturday. The festive annual traditional games event is also a proud display of Scottish heritage and is just a few minutes’ drive from Balmoral Castle, where the King continues the tradition of taking Queen Elizabeth on a private summer holiday.

The trip marked the final milestone in the first year of Charles’ reign, as it was his first Braemar Games since becoming king. Queen Elizabeth died at the age of 96 at her beloved Balmoral on September 8, 2022, and her eldest son and heir is expected to spend the first anniversary quietly and privately next Friday.

King Charles attended the lively sporting event with his wife, Queen Camilla, and Princess Anne and her husband, Sir Timothy Laurence.

He wore a traditional Scottish costume, including a kilt, knee-length boots and a sporran. His green, blue and red tartan was designed by The Scottish Tartans Authority earlier this year.

Much has changed since the Braemar Games last year, which Charles attended with Queen Camilla (then known as the Duchess of Cornwall) and Princess Anne. The trio beamed from their front row seats and beamed with laughter as they watched on September 3, 2022. It was a big year for the competition as the games were canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sarah Ferguson reveals Queen Elizabeth’s last words to her before the monarch’s death

ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty

A few days before, palace sources confirmed that Queen Elizabeth would not be attending the much-loved event. Royal sources said the decision was made with the monarch’s “comfort” in mind. She had episodic problems with mobility.

Her absence marked a break in tradition as she only missed the Braemar Games four times during her 70-year reign, the Braemar Gathering said in a statement following her death. Queen Elizabeth has served as proud Patron of the Braemar Royal Highland Society since she took office in 1952, becoming the longest-serving member of the Royal Family to hold the role.

Chris Jackson/Getty

Queen Elizabeth has attended the Braemar Royal Highland Gathering since she was a child, cheering on the sporting tournament which has been held since 1832.

While the Queen was famous for her poise and grace at official royal engagements, she seemed to loosen up a bit at the Braemar games. She was often photographed laughing during high-energy events such as tug-of-war, chariot throwing and hill races from her prime seat in the Patrons’ Pavilion at the competition, which usually took place on the first Saturday in September.

Kate Middleton and Prince William will lead tributes to Queen Elizabeth on the first anniversary of her death

The Queen has made the Braemar Games a family day out, attending with her husband Prince Philip and all four of their children – Charles, Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward – over the years. Her grandchildren will join her later.

Queen Elizabeth last attended the Braemar Games in September 2019 and sat with a plaid blanket on her lap next to Charles, Camilla, her grandson Peter Phillips and his wife Autumn Kelly. The son of Princess Anne and Autumn divorced in 2021 after 13 years of marriage.

Chris Jackson/Getty

The 2023 Braemar Games take place just a week before the first anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s death.

Almost a year ago, Queen Elizabeth died “peacefully” at Balmoral. King Charles and Queen Camilla are expected to spend the day quietly and privately, as Queen Elizabeth used to do on her Throne Day.

Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to receive the latest news on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

The royal couple are likely to spend their anniversary at Balmoral Castle, Queen Elizabeth’s summer retreat, or Birkhall Estate, their private home nearby.

September 8 is also the day of King Charles’ accession to the throne, and the emotional anniversary comes with a celebratory element that heralds his reign. Westminster Abbey, which hosted the coronations of Queen Elizabeth and King Charles, will ring its bells on September 8 in honor of Charles’ Throne Day, according to the abbey. In another tribute, a platoon of 21 guns will be fired in London’s royal parks in honor of King Charles’ reception on September 8, according to the royal family’s website.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education