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Gurkha anniversary: Queen to attend event to mark 200 years Gurkha anniversary: Queen to attend event to mark 200 years
(about 11 hours later)
Hundreds of Gurkhas are due to take part in a pageant - attended by the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh - to mark 200 years service to the British Crown.Hundreds of Gurkhas are due to take part in a pageant - attended by the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh - to mark 200 years service to the British Crown.
The event, in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London, is the highlight of a year of events marking Gurkha service to the UK.The event, in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London, is the highlight of a year of events marking Gurkha service to the UK.
The evening will feature battle re-enactments and musical performances by the Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas.The evening will feature battle re-enactments and musical performances by the Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas.
It will also remember those killed in the recent earthquakes in Nepal.It will also remember those killed in the recent earthquakes in Nepal.
Prince Charles - Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Gurkha Rifles - and Prince Harry - who lived with a Gurkha battalion in Afghanistan - will also attend the event.Prince Charles - Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Gurkha Rifles - and Prince Harry - who lived with a Gurkha battalion in Afghanistan - will also attend the event.
It is being organised by the Gurkha Welfare Trust, which gives financial and medical support to former Gurkha servicemen and their families.It is being organised by the Gurkha Welfare Trust, which gives financial and medical support to former Gurkha servicemen and their families.
Members of the Royal Family will meet serving Gurkhas and veterans before the pageant.Members of the Royal Family will meet serving Gurkhas and veterans before the pageant.
They will then view the open-air event, which will chronicle 200 years of Gurkha service, with the "story of the Gurkha soldier" narrated by actress and campaigner Joanna Lumley and historian Dan Snow.They will then view the open-air event, which will chronicle 200 years of Gurkha service, with the "story of the Gurkha soldier" narrated by actress and campaigner Joanna Lumley and historian Dan Snow.
'Amazing honour'
Captain Dillikumar Rai, of the Royal Gurkha Rifles, will have the prestigious role of carrying the Queen's Truncheon at the pageant.
"Today is a fantastic day for the Brigade of Gurkhas," he said.
"I am immensely proud to be serving as a Gurkha during the celebrations of 200 years of service to the Crown and to have Her Majesty present at today's event is an amazing honour."
Col William Shuttlewood, director of the Gurkha Welfare Trust, said: "The event raises funds not only in support of Gurkha veterans and their families in need and distress, but also to help them rebuild their communities after Nepal's recent devastating earthquakes."Col William Shuttlewood, director of the Gurkha Welfare Trust, said: "The event raises funds not only in support of Gurkha veterans and their families in need and distress, but also to help them rebuild their communities after Nepal's recent devastating earthquakes."
More than 8,000 people died after a major earthquake hit Nepal on 25 April.More than 8,000 people died after a major earthquake hit Nepal on 25 April.
He said it was a "particular privilege" to mark the occasion in front of the Queen, the other members of the Royal Family and the Sultan of Brunei.He said it was a "particular privilege" to mark the occasion in front of the Queen, the other members of the Royal Family and the Sultan of Brunei.
Who are the Gurkhas?Who are the Gurkhas?
After suffering heavy casualties in the invasion of Nepal, the British East India Company signed a hasty peace deal in 1815, which also allowed it to recruit from the ranks of the former enemy.After suffering heavy casualties in the invasion of Nepal, the British East India Company signed a hasty peace deal in 1815, which also allowed it to recruit from the ranks of the former enemy.
Gurkhas - whose name comes from the Nepalese hill town of Gorkha - began joining the East India Company, and later the British army.Gurkhas - whose name comes from the Nepalese hill town of Gorkha - began joining the East India Company, and later the British army.
They have since served in every major conflict involving British forces for two centuries, and won 13 Victoria Crosses - the highest British military decoration for valour.They have since served in every major conflict involving British forces for two centuries, and won 13 Victoria Crosses - the highest British military decoration for valour.
More than 200,000 Gurkhas fought in the two world wars, and there are about 2,600 Gurkhas in the British armed forces now.More than 200,000 Gurkhas fought in the two world wars, and there are about 2,600 Gurkhas in the British armed forces now.
The Gurkha Welfare Trust says becoming a Gurkha is a "matter of great pride", with tens of thousands of young Nepalese men applying and only a few accepted.The Gurkha Welfare Trust says becoming a Gurkha is a "matter of great pride", with tens of thousands of young Nepalese men applying and only a few accepted.
Click here to listen to a BBC Radio 4 programme on the history of the Gurkhas.Click here to listen to a BBC Radio 4 programme on the history of the Gurkhas.