King Charles was all smiles today as he wore a kilt and sipped a dram of whisky while attending the Mey Highland Games. 

Donning his traditional kilt, the monarch met spectators and competitors enjoying the Caithness event, where he saw several traditional sports on Saturday.

The King has had the title of Chieftain at the Mey Highland Games since 2002, when he took it over from his grandmother, the late Queen Mother.

Today, he joyfully watched on as competitors took part in a game of tug o’ war, with even a group of firefighters taking part, who emerged victorious.

King Charles congratulated each by shaking their hands, while also spending some of his day embracing the Celtic culture by chatting with several traders at stalls.

Among those to meet the monarch were the Wounded Highlanders, a team of injured veterans who often participate in adaptive competitions in the games.

The monarch also saw the tossing of the caber – which involves entrants carrying a long and heavy tree trunk and throwing it in an attempt to turn it end over end.

Meanwhile, he was entertained by troupes of Highland dancers and pipe bands who also took part in the celebrations.

King Charles was all smiles today as he wore a kilt and sipped a dram of whisky while attending the Mey Highland Games

Donning his traditional kilt, the monarch met spectators and competitors enjoying the Caithness event, where he saw several traditional sports on Saturday

The monarch smiles as he watches troupes of Highland dancers dance while attending the the Mey Highland Games

The Mey Highland Games take place each year at the John O’Groats showground, traditionally on the first Saturday of August.

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.

The event has grown considerably since it was founded in 1970 and around 2,000 people can turn out for it.

The King’s recent visit comes as his son Prince William, also the Duke of Rothesay, attended the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow along with his wife and children.

On the penultimate day of the so-called ‘Friendly Games’, the family joined spectators to watch a packed sporting schedule involving the world’s best competitors.

Prince Louis, now eight years old, delighted royal fans in a rare public appearance as he watched the Games alongside his siblings.

The family were in the stands for the netball semi-finals earlier today, which was a visibly tense match which decided who went through to the final playoffs for a medal.

They were later spotted at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome – where little Louis took great joy in his bucket hat – and were joined by the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.

The King had had the title of Chieftain at the Mey Highland Games since 2002, when he took it over from his grandmother, the late Queen Mother

King Charles meets firefighters after winning the tug of war at the Mey Highland Games at the John O’Groats Showground

He also spent some of his day embracing the Celtic culture by chatting with several traders at stalls

The monarch also saw the tossing of the caber – which involves entrants carrying a long and heavy tree trunk and throwing it in an attempt to turn it end over end

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Giggling Prince Louis charms fans as he sports bucket hat while watching Commonwealth Games

Louis appeared animated, biting his nails, gasping and pointing in the stands as he enjoyed the game, sat in between his siblings.

Prince George, who celebrated his 13th birthday last week, was pictured sitting next to his father, William.

William was spotted chatting to his sons throughout the match, pointing at the players and explaining the play.

Charlotte, meanwhile, regularly turned to speak to Kate, whispering to her mother throughout the match.

Princess Charlotte, 11, wore her hair like her mother’s in long curls and was dressed in a polka-dot navy blue and white dress.

Her two brothers, George and Louis, wore smart blue and white shirts, while William also opted for a smart blazer.

Kate and William – who are known by their Scottish titles, the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay, when visiting the country – and their children also met Team Wales athletes and their families on Saturday.

Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis revealed their favourite sports as they sat and chatted with the sportsmen and women on what was the final stop of their busy day at the Commonwealth Games.

And when Welsh TV presenter Gethin Jones asked George if he wanted to see his parents team up on a tandem in the velodrome, the 13-year-old quickly replied ‘no,’ clearly embarrassed by the prospect.

The family of five received a warm welcome from the Welsh athletes and their families as they arrived at Wales House in the centre of Glasgow.