Chelsea Pensioners are retired soldiers of the British Army living at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, and they are among the most recognisable figures in London — elderly men and women in long scarlet coats and tricorne hats, usually with a formidable row of medals.
The Royal Hospital
Founded by Charles II in 1682 for “the succour and relief of veterans broken by age and war”, and designed by Sir Christopher Wren. The buildings are among Wren’s finest secular work and have been in continuous use for their original purpose for over 340 years.
Tradition credits Nell Gwyn, Charles II’s mistress, with persuading him to found it after meeting a wounded soldier begging in the street. The story is unverifiable and much repeated.
Who lives there
Around 300 residents. To be eligible, a person must be a former soldier of the British Army, over 66, in receipt of an Army pension, and free of any dependent spouse or family. Officers are eligible only if they also served in the ranks or were awarded a disability pension.
The arrangement is straightforward: pensioners surrender their army pension to the hospital, and in return receive board, lodging, uniform, full nursing and medical care for the rest of their lives. Each has a private “berth” — a small room, considerably enlarged and modernised in recent years.
Women have been admitted since 2009, and there are now several female Chelsea Pensioners.
The uniforms
Two, and the distinction is worth knowing:
- Scarlet coats — the famous ones, worn whenever a pensioner leaves the hospital grounds or attends a ceremonial occasion. The design dates from the eighteenth century. With them goes the shako for parades or the black tricorne hat for less formal occasions.
- Blue uniform — worn day to day within the grounds.
A pensioner in scarlet in London is on official business or attending something, and they are treated with considerable public affection — people buy them drinks, offer seats, and stop them for photographs, which most of them enjoy.
Founder’s Day
Held annually near Charles II’s birthday on 29 May, also called Oak Apple Day — a reference to the king hiding in an oak tree after the Battle of Worcester. Pensioners parade in scarlet with oak leaves pinned to their coats, and a member of the Royal Family reviews them.
Where you will see them
At every national ceremonial occasion: Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph, state funerals, royal events. They also attend the Chelsea Flower Show, held in the hospital’s own grounds every May, where they are photographed more than the gardens.
Visiting
The Royal Hospital grounds, chapel, Great Hall and museum are open to visitors, and tours are often led by the pensioners themselves. They are, without exception, excellent company and have better stories than any guide.