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British Royals

This royal is just like the rest of us as she does wine o’clock at the bingo

As London basked in some very warm spring sunshine, one royal made just like plenty of others in the good weather and headed to the pub for a long, cooling drink and a bit of fun with friends.

The Duchess of Edinburgh looked very relaxed and happy as she enjoyed wine o’clock with the Chelsea Pensioners and joined them in a game of bingo.

Sophie, in a very spring like floral dress, popped into the Royal Hospital at Chelsea to join in the weekly bingo session – held every Tuesday and very popular indeed.

In photos shared by the Royal Family, it was clear that the Duchess was taking her night out very seriously as she concentrated on her card, dabber in hand.

But she also found plenty of time to relax, chatting happily with many of the Chelsea Pensioners.

And she appeared to enjoy a glass of fizz along the way as she made the most of her night out.

The Royal Chelsea Hospital is home to around 300 Chelsea Pensioners, all of them retired soldiers.

They are known for their distinctive uniform, including their famous red coats, and those were all firmly in place despite the heat as the Duchess of Edinburgh joined them.

The weekly bingo nights have a serious side – they are run for fun and friendship but also to try and stop loneliness and promote good mental health through fostering strong community relations.

However, it was a discreet evening. No one revealed whether the Duchess headed back having shouted ‘house’.

About author

Lydia Starbuck is Editor in Chief at Royal Central and the main producer and presenter of the Royal Central Podcast and Royal Central Extra. Lydia is also a pen name of June Woolerton who is a journalist and writer with over twenty years experience in TV, radio, print and online. Her latest book, A History of British Royal Jubilees, is out now. Her new book, The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr, will be published in March 2024. June is an award winning reporter, producer and editor. She's appeared on outlets including BBC 5 Live, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Local Radio and has also helped set up a commercial radio station. June is also an accomplished writer with a wide range of material published online and in print. She is the author of two novels, published as e-books. She is also a marriage registrar and ceremony celebrant.