| Where: | London at Chelsea Hospital |
| When: | Early June (often a Thursday) |
| Time: | 10am |
Founders Day at Chelsea Hospital is held in early June each year to commemorate King Charles II, who founded the hospital in the seventeenth century as a residential retirement home for old soldiers. Charles II’s birthday and his Restoration both fell on May 29th; the Parade used to be held annually on this date but has now moved to a variable date in early June. The Chelsea Pensioners will be wearing their distinctive red coats and royalty will be present – only invited guests may attend.
Helpful Hints
Attendance is by invitation only so you can’t just turn up – but members of the Friends of the Royal Hospital are welcome to attend the rehearsal which is just the same except for the visiting dignitaries – follow the links below to join the Friends.
In 2024 Founders Day was celebrated on Thursday June 6th- 2025 date is yet to be confirmed.
Click here for the website : http://www.chelsea-pensioners.co.uk
and Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RoyalHospitalChelsea/
Photo by Charlie Dave.
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i would love to know how i can get a ticket to founders day. Iam x service personell. I LIVE IN X SERVICES HOME CALLED OSWALD STOLL MANSIONS IM SURE LOTS OF US HERE WOULD LOVE AN INVITE
Sorry folks!Can’t help with tickets – I guess you’ll need to contact the organizers direct but I don’t have any links. Good luck!
Kind Regards,
Averil
ever one there gets 2 tickets but if they dont get them you can appley
Thanks Graham, that’s useful to know. Don’t suppose you know where to apply for the tickets?
Best wishes,
Averil
Try through your regimental association. They may be able to help. Good luck. It’s a wonderful event!
write to the secretary at Chelsea Pens hospital. I think it might be a ballot which you register for as in most cases with this type of event. I did speak with a very nice lady 2 years ago but then I couldn’t go.
Am I correct that tickets for Founders Day 5 June 2014 go on sale 30 April 2014 at 1830 hours?
I have 2 members of our Association as residents and would visit to attend this event.
Michael Atkinson & Dave Thomson
Lou Lister
Secretary
Defence Postal & Courier Services Veterans’ Association
Hi Lou,
You’re through to Calendarcustoms and we have no connection with the organisation of Founders Day – follow this link to the Box Office at the Royal Hospital Chelsea and they should be able to give you all the info : http://www.chelsea-pensioners.co.uk/events
Hope you manage to get the tickets!
Best wishes,
Averil
Sorry but no tickets are for sale – you can only go as an invited guest.
Thanks Pamela,
That’s useful to know!
Best wishes,
Averil
No tickets are sold through theRoyal Hospital, and from what I recall should not be sold anywhere
Can you please tell me if hats for the ladies are compulsary??
Hi!
You’re through to calendarcustoms and we don’t have any connection with the organisation of Founders Day. You need to head to http://www.chelsea-pensioners.co.uk and they’ll be able to advise on all the current rules and regulations. Best of luck!
Averil
No but expected. For this occasion you should wear a hat.
Founders Day is by invite only. This is the one day in the year that brings the Chelsea pensioners their friends, family, staff and volenteers all together. However, there is a rehearsal day that is free and is open to the public in the same week. It is exactly the same Parade except that the royalty and dignitaries will not be in attendance until the actual day and no celebrations. I hope this helps.
Thank you Mable that’s really helpful! I knew that the actual event was only for invited guests but included it on the website anyway because it’s so well known, but I had no idea that there is also a public “dress rehearsal”. As that will be the only chance to attend for most of us who aren’t privileged to have a Chelsea Pensioner in the family, that’s really useful to know. I’ll contact the Royal Hospital for more info on the dating of the rehearsal day as it’s something I’d be very interested in seeing and I’m sure other people would be too.
Thanks for letting me know,
Averil
Please could you tell me if women are permitted to wear trousers at founders day on June 6th. Thank you Jackie
Hi Jackie,
Sorry, I don’t know the answer to that one- you’ll need to check with the Royal Hospital direct to get all the dress code rules.If you follow the link to https://www.chelsea-pensioners.co.uk/contactus you’ll find phone numbers and email contacts for the Hospital.
Best wishes,
Averil
Can the 2022 date please be updated to 9th June 2022 – it’s coming up on Google with the 2nd as listed here and confusing visitors of the Royal Hospital.
With thanks
Media Team
Royal Hospital Chelsea
No problem Gawain- last time I checked it hadn’t been announced so I put a likely date with the proviso “To be confirmed” but I’ll get that changed right away- thanks for the update!
Best wishes,
Averil
I have an invitation. I’m a veteran and would like to know the dress code- ie will visitors be wearing meals and berets?
Hi Alan,
Congratulations on getting an invitation! Here at calendarcusttoms we’re not connected at all to the organisation of Founders Day and I’d hate to give you the wrong information about the dress code so I’d suggest you follow this link to the organisers and ask them direct : https://www.chelsea-pensioners.co.uk/contactus
Hope you have a great time!
Best wishes,
Averil