How the Queen loves computer Games (... )
That’s Highland Games on her PC!
EVER since she was a young girl, the Queen has been a regular spectator at the Braemar Gathering.
Nearly every year, on the first Saturday in September, she has travelled to her favourite Highland Games to cheer on the competitors.
But yesterday, the monarch was unable to uphold the tradition she has maintained throughout her 68-year reign – after coronavirus restrictions forced the event to go ‘virtual’.
Sources have revealed that the Queen, official patron of the Gathering, is ‘deeply disappointed’ the historic games could not go ahead.
However they have suggested that, instead, she will make do with watching a new, abridged version of the event on her computer.
While a small number of events have been allowed to take place without spectators for Scotland’s first ever ‘Virtual Games’, the Queen’s favourite – the tug of war – was not possible with social distancing.
Virtual Highland Games 2020, to be screened online next Saturday, was held behind closed doors at the Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park at Braemar on Royal Deeside last week.
The Royal box, where the Queen usually entertains guests, was closed but Prince Charles made a surprise appearance to raise the Royal standard and thank competitors for taking part.
The country’s top six strongmen were allowed to compete, while maintaining a two-metre social distance, in the caber toss, shotput and hammer throw. Solo piping and Highland dancing was allowed and the 80-metre sprint also took place, with runners spaced out on the track, along with the long jump, triple jump and high jump. A Balmoral source said: ‘Her Majesty was very sad to miss her favourite calendar event this year. She first went to the Games with her mother and father as a young girl and has attended almost every single year since her coronation, only missing it when Princess Diana died and Princess Anne was competing in the Olympics.
‘She is deeply disappointed because it is breaking a tradition that means a lot to her.
‘It is something she and the Duke of Edinburgh very much look forward to – both for the Games themselves, which are great fun to watch, and the chance to meet distant relatives and friends she invites into the Royal box.
‘Their favourite event has always been the tug of war – in particular the battle between the teams from Balmoral and the neighbouring estates – but it just wouldn’t work with social distancing rules in place.’
ChrisFoy, chief executive of Visit Aberdeen shire, said :‘ Highland Games 2020 is a special event that combines the actual competition with a virtual experience for viewers across the world, keeping the lights on for a great Scottish tradition during this exceptional year.
‘Highland Games events contribute up to £25 million to the Scottish economy and have been sadly missed this year.’