The Duchess of Edinburgh continues to grow her support for the military with a spotlight on mental health

The Duchess of Edinburgh is taking on a wider range of duties linked to the military and one of her latest events saw her supporting retired soldiers – and it involved bingo!

Sophie headed to the Royal Hospital Chelsea for an evening of games with some of the three hundred former serving personnel who now live there as pensioners.

With a glass of something sparkling on the table in front of her, the Duchess dived right into bingo night with a group of Chelsea Pensioners. She got down to business with her bingo marker and did her best to find her full house while chatting. 

Sophie learned about the importance of group activities like bingo with this evening, which takes place every week at the Royal Hospital in Chelsea, designed to foster community and friendships and to alleviate loneliness.

The Royal Hospital Chelsea is home to some of the most famous veterans in the UK. All the pensioners are retired from the military.

King Charles II first opened the hospital for veterans in 1682 and, according to legend, it was the suggestion of his famous love, Nell Gwyn. There are currently 300 residents living at the home, and women were first admitted as Pensioners in 2009. 

Chelsea Pensioners are often seen wearing their ceremonial scarlet coats, often with tricorne hats. 

Each year, the hospital celebrates Founder’s Day, also known as Oak Apple Day, for King Charles II. It is held in as close to Oak Apple Day, May 29, as possible and usually a member of the Royal Family attends to review the pensioners.