The Queen bursts into laughter at Highland Games as Princes Charles shows off his knobbly knees in a kilt
The Royal Family visit the Braemar Gathering, Aberdeenshire, every year
THE Queen was very much amused during her annual appearance at the Braemar Gathering today.
The world-famous event, which is held near the royals' Balmoral summer holiday retreat at the Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park, takes place on the first Saturday of every September.
Today, as patron of the Braemar Gathering, the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles and the Princess Royal joined thousands of spectators at the Gathering - which attracts one of the biggest crowds of the Highland Games season, swelling Braemar's population from 1,000 to around 17,000.
Wearing a wool crepe dress in vivid purple with a 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.
Meanwhile, Prince Philip and Prince Charles were both wearing kilts - and Her Majesty seemingly couldn't resist a giggle at Charles' knobbly knees as they watched an array of traditional events, which included piping, Highland dancing and tug-of-war contests.
The Gathering was first attended by Queen Victoria in 1848 - and since then, the Aberdeenshire event 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.
However, this year neither the Queen nor Prince Charles wore Balmoral Tartan - which only members of the Royal Family are allowed to wear.
And this year, for the first time in over 40 years veteran entertainer and announcer did not attend the festival.
The Scottish broadcaster and author, who has provided commentary at the prestigious Royal Deeside games since 1973, has passed the microphone to Robert Lovie and Graham Thomson - who were described as a "safe pair of hands".