International Women’s Day 2026 Photography Display
International Women’s Day 2026 Photography Display
Picturing the female Chelsea Pensioners
To celebrate International Women’s Day 2026, the Royal Hospital Chelsea is delighted to partner with photographer Jackie King to display a collection of never-before-seen photographs showing some of the 19 female Chelsea Pensioners who currently call the Royal Hospital their home.
Women were first admitted to the Royal Hospital Chelsea as Chelsea Pensioners in 2009, a full three hundred and seventeen years after the Hospital first opened its doors to Army veterans. Since 2009, many women have chosen to become part of the Royal Hospital community, donning their scarlet coats with pride. Yet today - seventeen years later - many people are still surprised when they meet a female Chelsea Pensioner.
Through her photos, Jackie King highlights the character of some of the female Chelsea Pensioners currently resident with us. Showcasing the individualism of each sitter, she shares their unique stories visually, while representing how embedded in the Royal Hospital community female Pensioners are today.
Event Details
- Dates: Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th March
- Times: 10:00 - 16:30 (please note last entry will be at 16:00)
- Location: The Soane Stable Yard (Entrance via Chelsea Gate)
- Admission: Free - no booking required
A message from the photographer
Jackie King
It's been such an honour to spend time with the Chelsea Pensioners - to photograph them in their Scarlets, to be welcomed behind the scenes into their lives, to laugh with them and spend the smallest fraction of time with them. Whether it was at their allotment, discussing Egyptology or viewing their collection of VW camper van ornaments, it's been such a joy to highlight and bring visibility to these incredible women.
Through this photo project and all the photo projects over the years, my aim has been to highlight incredible women doing amazing things (behind the scenes) so that following generations may themselves be inspired and become curious about the stories being written.
I'm moved by the stories of the female Chelsea Pensioners who are women inspiring others through their action and the action of being themselves, going out into the world, following their calling - whatever that looks like and wherever it takes them. Standing on the shoulders of those who came before them and carving a deeper path for those who follow, or being the first to walk that path themselves and lead the way.