Founder's Day 2026

Honouring service, tradition and more than three centuries of care

The Royal Hospital Chelsea was honoured to welcome Her Majesty The Queen as Reviewing Officer for Founder’s Day 2026, the most significant ceremonial occasion in the Royal Hospital calendar.

Bringing together Chelsea Pensioners, staff, families, supporters and invited guests, the annual parade celebrates the enduring values of service, comradeship and care that have defined the Royal Hospital for more than 330 years.
 

A tradition rooted in royal history

Founder’s Day commemorates the vision of King Charles II, whose establishment of the Royal Hospital created a lasting home and community for Army veterans. The parade is held as close as possible to 29 May, the King’s birthday and the anniversary of the Restoration of the Monarchy.

The day is also known as Oak Apple Day, recalling King Charles II’s escape following the Battle of Worcester in 1651, when he famously hid in an oak tree to avoid capture. In tribute, Chelsea Pensioners wear oak leaves on their scarlet uniforms, while the statue of King Charles II in Figure Court is traditionally adorned with oak foliage.

These traditions continue to connect today’s Chelsea Pensioners with the Royal Hospital’s founding story and its enduring relationship with the Crown.

A special occasion

This year’s parade marked Her Majesty The Queen’s first official visit to the Royal Hospital Chelsea and her first time serving as Reviewing Officer for Founder’s Day.

Prior to the parade, Her Majesty visited the Margaret Thatcher Infirmary, where she met residents and staff and learned more about the care provided to Chelsea Pensioners living at the Royal Hospital.
 

Her Majesty joined guests for the ceremony in Figure Court, inspecting the Chelsea Pensioners on parade and meeting members of the Royal Hospital community.

In her speech, the Queen spoke of the importance of the Royal Hospital, and the key role the Chelsea Pensioners' play as ambassadors.

"You offer care, camaraderie and community to those men and women who have served our nation, whilst upholding the highest standards."

She added: "The Scarlet Coat Brigade might now be slightly less nimble on their feet than in their youth, but you remain an example for us all. Your timeless values of courage, discipline, loyalty, selflessness and honour are a legacy of your years of service to this country. You and your families have proved, in times of hardship, our armed forces will never fail to step up and defend our freedom. And for that, we are all in your debt.”

The Governor of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, General Sir Adrian Bradshaw KCB OBE DL, welcomed Her Majesty and reflected on the significance of the occasion.

"We are greatly honoured that Her Majesty The Queen has consented to be our Reviewing Officer at this year's Founder’s Day celebration. The event is hugely significant in marking the centuries of camaraderie, care and support that the Royal Hospital Chelsea has provided, and continues to provide, for those who have served, as well as our ongoing dedication to supporting the Army veterans who live in our Chelsea home, and for those Veterans from all three Armed Services across the nation who receive support through our Veterans Outreach Programme”.  

Continuing the mission

While Founder’s Day celebrates the Royal Hospital’s rich history and traditions, it also reflects the work that continues every day in support of veterans.

Alongside providing a home and community for the Chelsea Pensioners, the Royal Hospital supports veterans across the United Kingdom through its Veterans Outreach Programme, helping to combat loneliness and isolation and ensuring that those who have served remain connected and supported.

Founder’s Day serves as a reminder that the values on which the Royal Hospital was established remain as relevant today as they were more than three centuries ago.