Along with people up and down the country, the Chelsea Pensioners have been mourning the loss of HM Queen Elizabeth II. Her death has a particularly profound significance for them, because – as former soldiers – each one swore an oath of allegiance to her.
Everyone at the Royal Hospital Chelsea is deeply saddened by the death of Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II.
The monuments in the old Burial Ground record Chelsea Pensioners who took part in famous battles, former Governors and other members of staff and their families – and famous figures from the Royal Hospital’s history.
The Royal Hospital Chelsea community continues to send our thoughts and condolences to the Royal Family at this difficult time. Many of our Chelsea Pensioners were fortunate enough to meet HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at the Royal Hospital’s Founder’s Day celebrations or through his other official duties.
2020 marks the 75th anniversary of Victory over Japan, or VJ, Day. On 15 August 1945, Imperial Japan surrendered, effectively bringing the conflict to an end. To commemorate this significant year in the legacy of the Second World War, we have explored our collections and the stories behind some of the artefacts that relate to war with Japan.
