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Queen to miss Highland Games event in Scotland on Saturday

The monarch, 96, has been experiencing mobility problems since last year.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth, together with her son Prince Charles and her daughter Princess Anne react as they watch an event at the Braemar Highland Gathering in Braemar, Scotland, Britain, September 1, 2018. REUTERS/Russell Cheyne
Image: The Queen pictured with son Prince Charles and daughter Princess Anne at the Braemar Highland Gathering in 2018
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The Queen will miss the popular Highland Games Braemar Gathering in Scotland on Saturday.

Sky News understands the decision has been taken for the comfort of Her Majesty, who has been suffering from mobility problems since last year.

The Prince of Wales will join spectators on Saturday for the gathering, which attracts crowds from across the globe who watch competitors take part in the caber toss, hammer throw, and tug of war.

It comes as the Queen announced she would appoint the new prime minister at Balmoral for the first time in her reign - in what has been described as a "huge break with tradition".

The monarch will receive either Liz Truss or Rishi Sunak on Tuesday, 6 September - a day after one of them is announced as Boris Johnson's replacement and handed the keys to 10 Downing Street.

New prime ministers are usually appointed from Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle.

Whoever wins the race for the Conservative leadership will officially become the 15th British prime minister appointed by the Queen, who first confirmed Winston Churchill into office in 1951.

More on The Queen

Her Majesty this year celebrated her Platinum Jubilee, but pulled out of a number of events to mark her historic 70 years on the throne.

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Rather than Buckingham Palace, the new PM will travel to Balmoral to be officially appointed by the Queen

The guest of honour "reluctantly" abandoned plans to attend a thanksgiving service at St Paul's Cathedral after experiencing discomfort during the first day of Jubilee events, including a birthday parade and flypast.

Concerns have been mounting over the Queen's health, with her often pictured either sitting or using a walking stick.

Camila, Duchess of Cornwall, Britain's Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles attend the annual Braemar Highland Gathering in Braemar, Scotland, Britain, September 7, 2019. REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

Earlier in May, the Queen missed the State Opening of Parliament for the first time in 59 years on doctors orders after experiencing "episodic mobility issues".

Charles, 73, stepped in to read Her Majesty's speech, while he and the Duke of Cambridge jointly opened the new session of Parliament on the Queen's behalf, as Counsellors of State.

The monarch was also forced to miss Royal Ascot for the first time since her coronation in June.

And she withdrew from the traditional Easter Sunday service at St George's Chapel in Windsor this year.

Instead, grandson Prince William and wife Kate led the royals at the annual royal event.