King Charles III proved he was chic at the knees as he donned traditional Scottish attire to attend the Mey Highland Games.
The monarch, 76, was spotted solo without Queen Camilla on Saturday as he took in the colourful festivities held in Caithness each year.
His Majesty looked dapper in his red, blue and green tartan kilt, which was complemented by a beige waistcoat and jacket, leather sporran and red hose.
At one point the King was seen enjoying a cheeky dram of whisky before meeting participants in the day’s events, which include tug o’war, caber tossing, massed pipe bands, Highland dancing, track events and novelty races.
Charles was all smiles as he sat down in a marquee, with his cousin, Lady Sarah Chatto, sat behind him.
The first Mey Games was held in the nearby village of Mey in 1970 to celebrate the late Queen Mother‘s 70th birthday.
As guest of honour on the day, she declared the event a success and encouraged its organisers to make it an annual event.
In 2002 His Majesty succeeded his grandmother as Chieftain of the games and attends each year during his summer break in Caithness.
Chic at the knees! King Charles III wore traditional Scottish attire at the Mey Highland Games
The monarch, 76, was spotted solo without Queen Camilla on Saturday as he took in the colourful festivities held in Caithness each year
The day’s events included a tug o’war competition undertaken by kilt-wearing participants
Charles has an enduring love of Scotland, having spent many summers at Balmoral with the royal family, and often wears kilts when visiting the nation for engagements.
The distinctive pattern on the King’s kilt is known as the Balmoral Tartan, which was originally created in the 1850s by Prince Albert for Queen Victoria, symbolizing her deep connection to Scotland.
It remains one of the most exclusive tartans, reserved only for use by the reigning monarch, as well as the Sovereign’s Piper – the only non-royal permitted to don this tartan.
Other members of the Royal Family require the sovereign’s permission to wear the tartan, with the latest pattern designed ‘in recognition of His Majesty’s strong support in preserving the culture and traditions of Highland Dress and Scottish Tartans’.
The Scottish Register of Tartans website notes that the cloth was first woven in 100% Scottish wool by Lochcarron of Scotland in Selkirk.
It features ‘central stripe motif (one broad and two narrow), a feature of Royal tartans previously worn by His Majesty including the Duke of Rothesay, Duke of Rothesay Hunting & Lord of the Isles Hunting tartans’.
His Majesty looked dapper in his red, blue and green tartan kilt, which was complemented by a beige waistcoat and jacket, leather sporran and red hose
At one point the King was seen enjoying a cheeky dram of whisky as he watched the events
Lady Sarah Chatto, daughter of the late Princess Margaret and Charles’ cousin, also attended
The monarch was in high spirits as he met visits to the annual Highland Games in Caithness
The distinctive pattern on the King’s kilt is known as the Balmoral Tartan, which was originally created in the 1850s by Prince Albert for Queen Victoria
The monarch was entertained with a performance by a pipe band at the Mey Highland Games
Charles and Camilla, alongside the King’s late parents Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II, attending the games in 2006
While the kilt-wearing monarch arrived alone this year, Queen Camilla has been an enthusiastic visitor in previous years.
Her Majesty first attended the Games with Charles in 2002, three years before she married the then Prince of Wales.
She then joined Charles at the annual jamboree on several occasions after their wedding.
At each, they were seen guffawing with laughter as they took in the high-spirited atmosphere.