A speech by The Queen at the Founder's Day Parade, Royal Hospital Chelsea

Governor, Pensioners, Ladies and Gentlemen, it is a huge pleasure to be with you today to celebrate Founder's Day, in what is perhaps the happiest "hospital" in the land!

King Charles II established this beautiful site over 300 years ago as “a place of refuge and shelter".  I know from my previous visits here that that is still the case.  You offer care, camaraderie and community to those men and women who have served our nation, while always upholding the highest of 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 illicit feeding of foxes, done at night to dodge the Quartermaster…much to the delight of the Governor’s dog, who often finds the odd treat on his evening walks…  And you have all, I know, perfected the art of the “gentlemanly stroll” - a military term, I believe, for "I am not rushing for anyone, even the Governor".  

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 the legacy of your years of service to our country. You and your families have proved that, 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. 

I should now like to take my own "gentlemanly stroll", to meet some more of you...  I shall therefore finish speaking, bearing in mind the quote often attributed to your founder, King Charles II:  "If we are understood, more words are unnecessary; if we are not likely to be understood, they are useless".  All that is left for me to say, then, is this:  Pensioners, I salute you.