What is a Chelsea Pensioner?
The Chelsea Pensioners are retired British Army veterans who live at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London. They come from various backgrounds across the United Kingdom, and their home here is an historic institution dedicated to providing care, camaraderie, and support to those who have served our nation.
Introducing
Old Comrades
Old Comrades is the new online community designed exclusively for retired British Veterans to connect and reconnect over shared interests and experience, while discovering a local veteran community.
Latest news
Chelsea Pensioner and CEO Step Up for the London Marathon 2025
This Sunday, our CEO David Richmond CBE and Chelsea Pensioner Dave Godwin will be taking part in the London Marathon to raise money for the Royal Hospital Chelsea. David will also raise money for the Invictus Games Foundation, for who he has been a long-term supporter.
Archie's Easter and Dementia Gardens
We recently had the pleasure of joining Chelsea Pensioner Archie Ferguson as he showed us his delightful Easter Garden, part of the wider Dementia Gardens that he and fellow Chelsea Pensioner Alan Rutter have lovingly curated for their fellow Pensioners.
Royal Hospital Chelsea Hosts 11th Annual Canadian Pancake Breakfast
The Royal Hospital Chelsea was honoured to welcome His Excellency, The Right Honourable Ralph Goodale PC, Canadian High Commissioner to the UK, and members of the Canadian Armed Forces for the 11th annual Canadian Pancake Breakfast on Tuesday, 4 March 2025.
Discover the Soane Stable Yard
The Soane Stable Yard is an all-new visitor attraction set in the historic grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
Eminent architect Sir John Soane designed and built the new yard between 1814-17. It has been refurbished over the last three years thanks to a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund with support from other benefactors and charitable trusts.
Our Pensioners
The Nation's Iconic Army Veterans
The Chelsea Pensioners are the iconic faces of the British Army's veteran community. They reside at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, their home since 1692, founded by King Charles II in, what was then, the village of Chelsea.
Any former soldier of the British Army over the age of 65, who is facing spending their advanced years alone, can apply for residence at the Royal Hospital as a Chelsea Pensioner.
Become a supporter of the Royal Hospital Chelsea
Become a supporter of the Royal Hospital Chelsea today and enjoy exclusive events and opportunities with friends and family at one of the most iconic sites in the capital.
Royal Hospital Chelsea
Chelsea Pensioners Veterans Outreach
The Chelsea Pensioner Veterans Outreach programme operates from facilities here at the Royal Hospital Chelsea and aims to provide comradeship and a sense of community to retired veterans of the three Armed Services and Merchant Navy, who might benefit from the company of other veterans.
What we do
300 Veterans
The Royal Hospital Chelsea is home to nearly 300 Chelsea Pensioners who have previously served in the British Army and have reached State Pension age.
February 1692
Founded by King Charles II for those ‘broken by age or war’, the Royal Hospital opened its door to the first Chelsea Pensioners on 4th February 1692.
11th November
the Royal Hospital supports retired veterans throughout the UK through our Veterans Outreach programme. We also remember and commemorate all those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service of their country.