King Charles embraced Scottish tradition on Saturday, attending the Mey Highland Games where he was seen wearing a kilt and enjoying a dram of whisky. The monarch, who has held the title of Chieftain at the games since 2002, interacted with spectators and competitors at the Caithness event.
During his visit, King Charles observed several traditional Highland sports, including a tug o' war competition, which was won by a team of firefighters. He personally congratulated the victors with a handshake. The King also engaged with local culture by visiting stalls and speaking with traders. Among those he met were the Wounded Highlanders, a team comprising injured veterans who participate in adaptive competitions.
The Highland Games also featured displays of Highland dancing and performances by pipe bands. King Charles witnessed the tossing of the caber, a sport where participants throw a large tree trunk, attempting to achieve a clean flip. The Mey Highland Games are held annually at the John O’Groats showground on the first Saturday of August.
The event was established in 1970 in the nearby village of Mey to commemorate the late Queen Mother's 70th birthday. She attended the inaugural games as guest of honour and encouraged its continuation as an annual tradition. The games have since grown significantly, now attracting approximately 2,000 attendees.
King Charles's attendance at the games follows a period of public engagements. Separately, his son Prince William, also known as the Duke of Rothesay in Scotland, recently attended the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow with his wife and children. The family watched various sporting events, and Prince Louis made a notable appearance.
During their visit to the Commonwealth Games, Prince William and his family met with Team Wales athletes. Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis shared their favorite sports with the athletes. Prince George, who had recently celebrated his 13th birthday, was seen engaging with his father during the events.
