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| Camster2, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons |
Each year, the hospital holds a parade to mark the hospital's founding by King Charles II (reigned 1660 -1685). The parade is usually held in late May/early June, close to King Charles II's birthday (May 29nd). The parade is attended each year by a member of the Royal Family.
The Royal Hospital Chelsea's Founder's Day, is also known as Oak Apple Day and the Pensioners will wear Oak branches on their uniforms. The Oak reference commemorates the escape of the future King Charles II after the Battle of Worcester (1651) when he hid in an oak tree to avoid capture by the Parliamentary forces.
The list is not complete
King Charles III's Reign
| Year | Royal | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | ||
| 2029 | - | - |
| 2028 | - | - |
| 2027 | - | - |
| 2026 | - | - |
| 2025 | - | - |
| 2024 | - | - |
| 2023 | King Philippe & Queen Mathilde of Belgium | To make-up for Canceled attendance in 2022. |
Queen Elizabeth II's Reign
Queen Elizabeth attended the Founder's Parade 4 times during her reign, during milestone years.
When two royals attended the Reviewing Officer is the more senior royal.
| Year | Royal |
|---|---|
The 2020s
|
|
| 2022 | Sir Tim Laurence (Princess Anne canceled) (King Philippe canceled as his State Visit to DR Congo was postponed from Feb 2022 to June 2022 due to the war in Ukraine.) (330th Parade) |
| 2021 | Duke & Duchess of Gloucester |
| 2020 | Duchess Camilla (Postponed due to Pandemic) |
The 2010s
|
|
| 2019 | Prince Harry (75th Anniversary of D-Day) |
| 2018 | Prince & Princess Michael of Kent |
| 2017 | Prince Edward |
| 2016 | Princess Anne & Sir Tim |
| 2015 | Prince Andrew |
| 2014 | Duke of Kent |
| 2013 | Duchess Camilla |
| 2012 | Countess Sophie |
| 2011 | Prince Harry |
| 2010 | Duke of Gloucester |
The 2000s
|
|
| 2009 | Princess Alexandra |
| 2008 | Princess Anne |
| 2007 | Queen Margrethe of Denmark (315th Parade) (King Constantine & Queen Anne-Marie of Greece also attended) |
| 2006 | Queen Elizabeth & Prince Philip |
| 2005 | Prince Charles & Duchess Camilla |
| 2004 | Duke and Duchess of Gloucester |
| 2003 | ? |
| 2002 | Queen Elizabeth (at Buckingham Palace to celebrate Golden Jubilee, 50th Anniversary of Accession) (310th Parade) |
| 2001 | Princess Alexandra |
| 2000 | Duke of Kent |
The 1990s
|
|
| 1999 | Prince Charles |
| 1998 | Prince Edward |
| 1997 | Prince Philip |
| 1996 | ? |
| 1995 | ? |
| 1994 | Duchess of Kent |
| 1993 | ? |
| 1992 | Prince Charles & Princess Diana (300th Parade) |
| 1991 | ? |
| 1990 | ? |
The 1980s
|
|
| 1989 | |
| 1988 | |
| 1987 | Duchess Sarah |
| 1986 | |
| 1985 | Princess Anne |
| 1984 | |
| 1983 | Princess Diana |
| 1982 | Queen Elizabeth (300th Anniversary of Hospital) |
| 1981 | |
| 1980 | Duchess of Kent |
The 1970s
|
|
| 1979 | |
| 1978 | Prince Philip |
| 1977 | |
| 1976 | |
| 1975 | |
| 1974 | |
| 1973 | |
| 1972 | Princess Anne |
| 1971 | |
| 1970 | |
The 1960s
|
|
| 1969 | |
| 1968 | |
| 1967 | |
| 1966 | Queen Mum |
| 1965 | |
| 1964 | |
| 1963 | Queen Mum |
| 1962 | Queen Elizabeth (10th Anniversary of Accession) |
| 1961 | |
1960
|
|
The 1950s
|
|
| 1959 | |
| 1958 | |
| 1957 | |
| 1956 | |
| 1955 | |
| 1954 | Princess Margaret? |
| 1953 | |
| 1952 | |
