Founder’s Day parade in London, England

Jun 7, 2012

Founder’s Day parade in London, England

Robert Hamilton 0 Comment The Baltimore Sun, World Battle of Worchester, Chelsea, Countess of Wesses, Founder's Day, King Charles II, London, Royal Oak, Sophie

Founder’s Day in England celebrates the escape of the future King Charles II after defeat in the Battle of Worchester in 1651. The King evaded capture by hiding in a royal oak tree. As part of the celebration the Chelsea Pensioners, British veteran soldiers at the the Royal Chelsea Hospital, are inspected by a member of the royal family. This year the honors were carried out by Sophie, Countess of Wessex. All members of the ceremonies wear sprigs of oak leaves to commemorate the escape. The hospital was founded by King Charles II in 1682 and is home to some 300 pensioners.

: Chelsea Pensioners, British veteren soldiers, sit on mobility scooters during the annual Founder’s Day Parade at the Royal Chelsea Hospital in London. (Miguel Medina/Getty Images)

: Chelsea Pensioners, British veteren soldiers, fix their oak leaf sprigs during the annual Founder’s Day Parade at the Royal Chelsea Hospital in London (Miguel Medina/Getty Images)

: Chelsea Pensioners, British veteren soldiers, sit during the annual Founder’s Day Parade at the Royal Chelsea Hospital. (Miguel Medina/Getty Images)

: A guest wears shoes with an oak leaf design at the annual Founder’s Day parade at the Royal Hospital in Chelsea, London. (Miguel Medina/Getty Images)

: Chelsea Pensioners, British veteren soldiers, sit wearing their oak leaf sprigs during the annual Founder’s Day Parade at the Royal Chelsea Hospital. (Miguel Medina/Getty Images)

: Britain’s Sophie, Countess of Wessex, prepares to inspect the parade of Chelsea Pensioners at the annual Founder’s Day parade at the Royal Hospital in Chelsea. (Miguel Medina/Getty Images)

: Chelsea Pensioners, British veteren soldiers, sit wearing their oak leaf sprigs during the annual Founder’s Day Parade at the Royal Chelsea Hospital in London. (Miguel Medina/Getty Images)

: A Chelsea Pensioner, a British veteren soldier, rides a mobility scooter during the annual Founder’s Day Parade at the Roya

: Chelsea Pensioners, all British veteren soldiers, sit during the annual Founder’s Day Parade at the Royal Chelsea Hospital in London. (Miguel Medina/Getty Images)

: Sophie, Countess of Wessex, second from left, talks with a Chelsea Pensioner, a British veteren soldier, as she inspects during the annual Founder’s Day Parade at the Royal Chelsea Hospital in London. (Miguel Medina/Getty Images)

: Chelsea Pensioners, all British veteren soldiers, stand to attention for inspection as others drive mobility scooters past Sophie, Countess of Wessex, standing at the base of a statue of King Charles II during the annual Founder’s Day Parade at the Royal Chelsea Hospital. (Miguel Medina/Getty Images)

: Sophie, Countess of Wessex, center, inspects Chelsea Pensioners, British veteren soldiers, during the annual Founder’s Day Parade at the Royal Chelsea Hospital in London. (Miguel Medina/Getty Images)

: Britain’s Sophie, Countess of Wessex, inspects Chelsea pensioners as they participate in the annual Founder’s Day parade at the Royal Hospital in Chelsea, London. (Miguel Medina/Getty Images)

: The Band of the Coldstream Guards and the Trumpeters of the Grenadier Guards play at the annual Founder’s Day parade at the Royal Hospital in Chelsea. (Miguel Medina/Getty Images)

: Chelsea pensioners attend the annual Founder’s Day parade at the Royal Hospital in Chelsea, London. (Miguel Medina/Getty Images)

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