The Duke of Edinburgh attends the Royal Hospital Chelsea Founder’s Day parade

Founder’s Day, also known as Oak Apple Day, celebrates the founding of the Royal Hospital by King Charles II and brings together all Chelsea Pensioners for a day of celebration and reflection. 

The parade takes place as close as possible to 29th May, which was King Charles II's birthday and the date he evaded capture after the Battle of Worcester by hiding in an oak tree.

In tribute to that moment, all Pensioners on parade wore oak leaves, and the statue of King Charles II in Figure Court is specially decorated each year. This year, the statue was surrounded by young potted oak tress around its base.

During the visit, The Duke had the opportunity to inspect the troops and meet some of the Pensioners who live at the Hospital.

This event has taken place almost every year since the Royal Hospital opened in 1692 and has been attended at least once by most members of the Royal Family. 

The institution, now over 330 years old, today provides a home and sense of purpose for the Chelsea Pensioners.