spectators for the event, which attracts crowds from around the world, as our royal correspondent nicholas witchell reports. it has been a fixture in the queens a summer calendarfor as it has been a fixture in the queens a summer calendar for as long as anyone can remember the royal highland gathering at braemar. a date when things are tossed and highland sports are pursued. without fail to the entertainment of the queen and other members of her family who view the games form a special royal pavilion. this year, though, the braemar gathering will take place without the queen. just as happened during the platinum jubilee we can, changes are being made. palace officials say little about the queens health. they regarded essentially as a private matter but there appears to be no suggestion of any significant change to her health in recent weeks. her absence from a braemar is to safeguard what royal sources