Canadian High Commissioner Visits for Shrove Tuesday
5th March 2019
The Chelsea Pensioners have a long-standing and close relationship with Canada, which is celebrated each year, since 2014, with a pancake breakfast at the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
This year’s event was attended by Canadian High Commissioner, HE Mrs Janice Charette, who noted the close bond between the UK and Canada. The Royal Hospital’s Governor, Sir Adrian Bradshaw, was pleased to welcome the esteemed guests from the Canadian High Commission and Canadian Forces, acknowledging the links between the two countries, highlighting that two Chelsea Pensioners are Canadian citizens and many have served around the world with Canadian Forces during their military service.
The morning’s quiet ambiance at the Chelsea Pensioners’ Club was punctuated by a bellowing ‘moose call’ signalling the start of the Moose Ceremony. Pensioners, Royal Hospital staff, members of the High Commission and Canadian Forces all enjoyed a bagpiping display from Chelsea Pensioner, Mike Shanahan, before tucking into a hearty pancake breakfast topped with bacon, and of course maple syrup - a staple of any Canadian breakfast table.
