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King Charles IIIPrince PhilipQueen Elizabeth IIThe Sussexes

Queen and royals to attend Gurkha 200 Pageant at Royal Hospital Chelsea

On 9 June, The Queen and members of the Royal Family will attend the Gurkha 200 Pageant at the Royal Hospital Chelsea.

The event is in support of The Gurkha Welfare Trust and will highlight it’s rich history as well as commemorate 200 years of Gurkha service to the Crown.

Joining Her Majesty will be The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales and Prince Harry.

Charles is Colonel in Chief of The Royal Gurkha Rifles. He also is Patron to the G200 Everest expedition: the ascent of Everest that was being made by Gurkhas when the recent earthquakes struck the region. He is also Patron of The Gurkha Welfare Trust and The Britain-Nepal Medical Trust.

During his time in Afghanistan, Harry served together with the 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles.

Charles is Colonel in Chief of The Royal Gurkha Rifles.

Charles is Colonel in Chief of The Royal Gurkha Rifles.

The Ghurka soldiers have served together with British forces in every major conflict for two centuries now.

The Gurkha’s lost over 40,000 soldiers during World War I and World War II with 13 Victoria Crosses have been awarded to Nepalese Gurkha soldiers.

2015 marks their bicentenary year and celebrates Gurkha service to the Crown. The Pageant is the highlight of a range of commemorative events taking place during the year.

The Gurkha Welfare Trust grants financial and medical support to former Gurkha servicemen and their families, predominantly in Nepal. It also delivers Community Aid projects in Gurkha villages.

The Queen and the Royal Family will meet organisers upon their arrival to the bicentenary celebrations, together with serving Gurkhas and veterans. Following their arrival, they will view part of the Pageant, including battle re-enactments and musical performances by the Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas.

The commemorative event will also recognise those who lost their lives in the recent earthquake in Nepal. All funds raised during the Pageant will allow the Trust to extend its Medical Programme in Nepal as well as respond to the critical need to rebuild following the recent earthquakes.

In April 2012, Prince Charles paid a visit to the Royal Gurkha Rifles regiment at the Sir John Moore Barracks in Folkestone.

Both the Queen and Prince Charles made personal donations to the DEC Nepal Earthquake Appeal following the devastation in Nepal.

Featured photo credit: Scottish Parliament and Photo Credit: ResoluteSupportMedia via Flickr