Queen Camilla speaks to Chelsea Pensioners at the Founder's Day event (Picture: PA)The ceremony celebrates the founding of the Royal Hospital by King Charles II (Picture: PA)Queen Camilla speaks to Chelsea Pensioners at the Founder's Day event (Picture: PA)The ceremony celebrates the founding of the Royal Hospital by King Charles II and the event has taken place almost every year since the Royal Hospital opened in 1692 (Picture: PA)Queen Camilla attends the Chelsea Pensioners Founder's Day at Royal Hospital Chelsea in central London (Picture: PA)The Queen joined pensioners, families and guests for the event, watching Army veterans in their distinctive scarlet coats and tricorne hats march across the parade ground (Picture: PA)The Queen joined pensioners, families and guests for the event, watching Army veterans in their distinctive scarlet coats and tricorne hats march across the parade ground (Picture: PA)The Queen joined pensioners, families and guests for the event, watching Army veterans in their distinctive scarlet coats and tricorne hats march across the parade ground (Picture: PA)The Queen joined pensioners, families and guests for the event, watching Army veterans in their distinctive scarlet coats and tricorne hats march across the parade ground (Picture: PA)The Queen joined pensioners, families and guests for the event, watching Army veterans in their distinctive scarlet coats and tricorne hats march across the parade ground (Picture: PA)Queen Camilla attends the Chelsea Pensioners Founder's Day at Royal Hospital Chelsea in central London (Picture: PA)The Queen joined pensioners, families and guests for the event, watching Army veterans in their distinctive scarlet coats and tricorne hats march across the parade ground (Picture: PA)Founder’s Day is held on a date near 29 May, marking both the birthday of King Charles II, who founded the hospital in the late 17th century, and the anniversary of his restoration to the throne in 1660 (Picture: PA)Camilla told the veterans they remained an example to the nation and a reminder of the values forged through military service (Picture: PA)Founder’s Day is held on a date near 29 May, marking both the birthday of King Charles II, who founded the hospital in the late 17th century, and the anniversary of his restoration to the throne in 1660 (Picture: PA)Camilla told the veterans they remained an example to the nation and a reminder of the values forged through military service (Picture: PA)The event is also known as Oak Apple Day, and the pensioners wear sprigs of oak leaves in recognition of Charles II escaping capture after the Civil War Battle of Worcester in 1651, by hiding in an oak tree (Picture: PA)Camilla told the veterans they remained an example to the nation and a reminder of the values forged through military service (Picture: PA)The ceremony celebrates the founding of the Royal Hospital by King Charles II and the event has taken place almost every year since the Royal Hospital opened in 1692 (Picture: PA)The event is also known as Oak Apple Day, and the pensioners wear sprigs of oak leaves in recognition of Charles II escaping capture after the Civil War Battle of Worcester in 1651, by hiding in an oak tree (Picture: PA)The event is also known as Oak Apple Day, and the pensioners wear sprigs of oak leaves in recognition of Charles II escaping capture after the Civil War Battle of Worcester in 1651, by hiding in an oak tree (Picture: PA)The Queen joined pensioners, families and guests for the event, watching Army veterans in their distinctive scarlet coats and tricorne hats march across the parade ground (Picture: PA)Queen Camilla attends the Chelsea Pensioners Founder's Day at Royal Hospital Chelsea in central London (Picture: PA)The Queen joined pensioners, families and guests for the event, watching Army veterans in their distinctive scarlet coats and tricorne hats march across the parade ground (Picture: PA)Queen Camilla attends the Chelsea Pensioners Founder's Day at Royal Hospital Chelsea in central London (Picture: PA)The event is also known as Oak Apple Day, and the pensioners wear sprigs of oak leaves in recognition of Charles II escaping capture after the Civil War Battle of Worcester in 1651, by hiding in an oak tree (Picture: PA)Queen Camilla attends the Chelsea Pensioners Founder's Day at Royal Hospital Chelsea in central London (Picture: PA)The event is also known as Oak Apple Day, and the pensioners wear sprigs of oak leaves in recognition of Charles II escaping capture after the Civil War Battle of Worcester in 1651, by hiding in an oak tree (Picture: PA)Camilla told the veterans they remained an example to the nation and a reminder of the values forged through military service (Picture: PA)The event is also known as Oak Apple Day, and the pensioners wear sprigs of oak leaves in recognition of Charles II escaping capture after the Civil War Battle of Worcester in 1651, by hiding in an oak tree (Picture: PA)Founder’s Day is held on a date near 29 May, marking both the birthday of King Charles II and the anniversary of his restoration to the throne in 1660 (Picture: PA)Queen Camilla attends the Chelsea Pensioners Founder's Day at Royal Hospital Chelsea in central London (Picture: PA)Camilla told the veterans they remained an example to the nation and a reminder of the values forged through military service (Picture: PA)Founder’s Day is held on a date near 29 May, marking both the birthday of King Charles II and the anniversary of his restoration to the throne in 1660 (Picture: PA)The Queen joined pensioners, families and guests for the event, watching Army veterans in their distinctive scarlet coats and tricorne hats march across the parade ground (Picture: PA)Camilla told the veterans they remained an example to the nation and a reminder of the values forged through military service (Picture: PA)Founder’s Day is held on a date near 29 May, marking both the birthday of King Charles II and the anniversary of his restoration to the throne in 1660 (Picture: PA)The Queen joined pensioners, families and guests for the event, watching Army veterans in their distinctive scarlet coats and tricorne hats march across the parade ground (Picture: PA)Camilla told the veterans they remained an example to the nation and a reminder of the values forged through military service (Picture: PA)Founder’s Day is held on a date near 29 May, marking both the birthday of King Charles II and the anniversary of his restoration to the throne in 1660 (Picture: PA)Others sat around the parade ground watching the ceremony, but those too frail to take part did not miss out as Camilla visited the infirmary before events began (Picture: PA)
Queen Camilla paid tribute to the Chelsea Pensioners' "courage, discipline, loyalty, selflessness and honour" during the Royal Hospital Chelsea's annual Founder's Day celebrations.
The Queen joined pensioners, families and guests for the event, watching Army veterans in their distinctive scarlet coats and tricorne hats march across the parade ground.
Others sat around the parade ground watching the ceremony, but those too frail to take part did not miss out as Camilla visited the infirmary before events began.
In a speech, the Queen praised both the staff and veterans of the Royal Hospital while also joking about reports of "secretive gin bars, port associations and the feeding of foxes" among the pensioners.
She said: "You offer care, camaraderie and community to those men and women who have served our nation, whilst upholding the highest standards.
"At the same time, I gather from some 'off-the-record' conversations with pensioners, that it is also a place of secretive gin bars, port associations and the feeding of foxes, done at night to dodge the quartermaster!"
Camilla told the veterans that although they may be "slightly less nimble on their feet" than in their youth, they remained an example to the nation and a reminder of the values forged through military service.
She added: "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."
Founder’s Day is held on a date near 29 May, marking both the birthday of King Charles II, who founded the hospital in the late 17th century, and the anniversary of his restoration to the throne in 1660.
The event is also known as Oak Apple Day, and the pensioners wear sprigs of oak leaves in recognition of Charles II escaping capture after the Civil War Battle of Worcester in 1651, by hiding in an oak tree.
Queen Camilla watches as Chelsea Pensioners parade during the Chelsea Pensioners Founder's Day at Royal Hospital Chelsea in central London (Picture: PA)
