This includes accompanying each other to external appointments, spending time together socially and visiting each other in hospital. Lots of the Chelsea Pensioners work to support the routine and services at the Royal Hospital and contribute to the community they are a part of.

Scarlet Secrets The long scarlet coat is an icon of the Royal Hospital Chelsea and is worn with pride by the Chelsea Pensioners. However, many people do not realise that Pensioners wear two types of uniform, known fondly as ‘scarlets’ and ‘blues’.

Chelsea Pensioners are encouraged to wear their uniforms; it is mandatory to wear the scarlet uniform when representing the Royal Hospital on a recognised visit or when on parade, such as the annual Founder’s Day parade in June. The blue uniform is also worn at breakfast and lunch in the Great Hall.

The shako caps are embroidered with the letters RH, the initials of the Royal Hospital and are very popular with the Chelsea Pensioners as most find them more comfortable to wear than the tricornes.

From 1692 until 1955, all Army pensions were administered by and paid from the Royal Hospital Chelsea, which is why all Army pensioners were often referred to as Chelsea Pensioners. Those who lived ‘Out’, in the UK or abroad and received their pension in cash from agents around the country were known as Out-Pensioners.

To be eligible for admission as a Chelsea Pensioner, a candidate must be a former non-commissioned officer or soldier of the British Army who is: Over 65 years or of State Pension age (whichever is the greater)

Either in receipt of an Army Service Pension or War Disability Pension which you would be required to surrender upon entry to the Royal Hospital OR if you do not receive an Army Pension you would be required to make a weekly financial contribution (payable by Standing Order) towards your living costs.

A Greenwich Pensioner was the Naval equivalent of a Chelsea Pensioner.

The day-to-day operations of the Royal Hospital are funded in large part by the Government through a Grant-in-Aid. That the outcomes of fundraising will benefit the care and quality of life of the Chelsea Pensioners, and/or enable the Commissioners to discharge their obligations to the heritage.

A Chelsea pensioner is a British Army veteran, over the age of 65, who has applied for and been chosen to live in the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London. There are currently around 300 Chelsea pensioners living at the hospital site..

Tours are booked through our Tours Manager either by email at [email protected] or by telephone on 0207 881 5237. Bookings can be made 3 months in advance. Bookings open on the first weekday of every month.

Chelsea Pensioners are famous around the world for their iconic, eye-catching bright-red long coat uniforms. This scarlet army of extraordinary men and women are all highly respected veterans who all once served their country during some of the biggest conflicts of the last century.

Chelsea pensioner. A Chelsea pensioner is an in-pensioner at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, a retirement home and nursing home for former members of the British Army located in Chelsea, London. Historically, however, the phrase applied more widely, referring to both in-pensioners and out-pensioners.

The Royal Hospital Chelsea is home to 300 retired British soldiers, male and female (the latter since 2009), and is located on Royal Hospital Road. Historically, the term “Chelsea Pensioner” applied more widely, referring to both In-Pensioners and Out-Pensioners who live elsewhere.

Now only pensioners who live at the Royal Hospital are officially called Chelsea Pensioners. The Out-Pensioners title has fallen out of usage. The Royal Hospital Chelsea believes in “active ageing” and encourages the Chelsea Pensioners to support each other.