A Month-by-Month Guide to the Royal Appearances

Ever seen pictures of the royal family laughing their heads off while sitting in deckchairs and bundled in blankets? That will be at the annual Braemar Gathering. The games are held near Balmoral on the first Saturday in September and feature tug o'war and caber tossing.

The queen holds an annual Ghillies' Ball (a ghillie is a gamekeeper) on the second Thursday of September for Balmoral staff and neighbors. There is a ceilidh with pipers, and the lucky ones could end up dancing a reel with her majesty.