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East Road, LONDON, SW3 4NE

The hospital was founded in 1682 by Charles II, modelled on Les Invalides in Paris. It was built to accommodate his unfit veteran soldiers - wounded or those with 20 years service. The buildings were mainly designed by Sir Christopher Wren. Today's Chelsea Pensioners give up their army pensions to live here, but retain their state pensions.

This impressive gilded statue of the "Merry Monarch" sits in the main courtyard of the Royal Hospital. Charles had it built after being told about "Les Invalides", for invalided soldiers, in Paris. Behind is the centre block of the Hospital. This has the dining room to the left, and chapel to the right.

Home to retired soldiers known as the Chelsea Pensioners, the Royal Hospital is Grade I listed, built between 1682 and 1702 to the designs of Sir Christopher Wren. Architectural description at this https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1226301

Ornate baroque chapel within the hospital which was designed by Sir Christopher Wren.

Classical building, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, with tower and colonnaded central portico. The Chelsea Pensioner statue in the foreground still carries two sprigs of oak from the Oakapple Day parade of the previous week.

The interior of the chapel at the Royal Hospital, home of the Chelsea Pensioners, one of whom is giving a guided tour.

King Charles II founded the Royal Hospital as a retreat for veterans in 1682. A full history can be seen here - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Hospital_Chelsea While Great Britain was fighting the War of Jenkins' Ear with Spain in 1740, Commodore George Anson led a squadron of eight ships on a mission to disrupt or capture the Pacific Ocean possessions of the Spanish Empire. Returning to Britain in 1744 by way of China and thus completing a circumnavigation of the globe, the voyage was notable for the capture of the Manila galleon, but also for horrific losses from disease with only 188 men of the original 1,854 surviving. The full story can be seen at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Anson%27s_voyage_around_the_world

King Charles II founded the Royal Hospital as a retreat for veterans in 1682. A full history can be seen here - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Hospital_Chelsea This is the main courtyard known as the Figure Court. The statue of King Charles II was cast in copper alloy by Grinling Gibbons. It was originally gilded but was bronzed in 1787. In 2002, the statue was regilded to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee. Charles II, the founder of the hospital, is dressed as a Roman as Louis XIVth (the Sun King) who was a contemporary liked to be shown in similar mode.

Model old soldier on a bench inside the Royal Hospital. The block beyond contains the museum.