Founder's Day returns to full capacity at the Royal Hospital Chelsea
After a pared-back ceremony last year, the Chelsea Pensioners have returned in full force to take part in the annual Founder's Day parade at the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
Retired Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence was welcomed to the heritage site to review the Chelsea Pensioners on parade for the 330th Founder's Day.
The Royal Hospital's veterans have gathered together in the central quadrangle, Figure Court, nearly every year since 1695 to mark the foundation by King Charles II.
For this occasion, the statue of the King is decorated in oak leaves.
The guests and participants also wore a customary sprig of oak, to commemorate how the Monarch escaped parliamentary forces by hiding in an oak tree.
It is said the King once hid in an Oak tree to avoid capture by Parliamentary forces.
The hospital was founded 330 years ago by the King to provide a home for veterans "broken by age or war".
The Parade
Retired Royal Navy Admiral, Vice Admiral Laurence was the Reviewing Officer for this year's Parade
The Band of the Grenadier Guards and The Fanfare Trumpeters of the Band of the Prince of Wales opened the ceremony with music before the former Royal Navy Admiral and the husband of Princess Anne, watched the Chelsea Pensioners in their scarlet uniforms and tricorne hats parade past.
The more able veterans marched, whilst their frailer comrades followed on mobility scooters and in wheelchairs.
Over 4,000 guests attended, including representatives from the many regiments the Chelsea Pensioners served in, as well as distinguished visitors.
The 2020's Founder's Day event was cancelled, and the 2021 parade returned with all the hallmarks of the traditional celebration just pared back and not its usual date in May.
Watch: Retired Vice Admiral Laurence made light of the situation that put him in the position of reviewing the Chelsea Pensioners.
In an address to those in attendance, the Retired Royal Navy Admiral said: "If I may say to the Pensioners, you have all played your part in keeping our island safe from the sort of appalling tragedy that we see in Ukraine today.
"Your service is reflected in the large number and variety of medals that I have seen on parade today, so justly deserved and so proudly worn.
"You, ladies and gentlemen, have honoured this establishment by your exemplary appearance and bearing today, and you have also honoured your families, your regiments and corps and the nation as well.
"I wish you all a very happy 330th birthday."
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