The Duke of Sussex will attend Founder’s Day
Thursday, 6th June 2019
The Duke of Sussex will visit the Royal Hospital Chelsea on Thursday, 6th June 2019 to review the Chelsea Pensioners at the annual Founder’s Day Parade. Six veterans from the Normandy Landings will be taking part.
The parade commemorates King Charles II’s founding of the Royal Hospital Chelsea in 1681. Founder’s Day is also known as Oak Apple Day referring to the oak tree that King Charles II hid in to avoid being captured by Parliamentary forces after the Battle of Worcester in 1651. This annual celebration commemorates that escape and as a lasting tribute to the Stuart King’s escape, the statue of King Charles II in the Figure Court at Royal Hospital Chelsea is partly shrouded in oak leaves.
Over 300 Army veterans live at the Royal Hospital today, including those who have served in Korea, the Falkland Islands, Cyprus, Northern Ireland and World War II. Others may not have served in campaigns, but all understand what it means to be a soldier and the potential sacrifice that it entails.
Upon arrival The Duke will meet with Chelsea Pensioners and find out more about the activities and programmes run by the Royal Hospital. The Duke will then review the Chelsea Pensioners who will stand in four companies in the Royal Hospital’s central courtyard for inspection. His Royal Highness and the Governor will also deliver a speech.
