The Annual Ceremony of the Christmas Cheeses (fondly known as the ‘Cheese Ceremony’) took place this week. It marked a remarkable 333rd anniversary of the tradition and the 66th year of the formalisation of the event.
Cheesemakers from across the UK once again showed their generosity and donated their finest British cheeses to the Pensioners of the Royal Hospital Chelsea as part of this long-standing tradition.
This year the dairy industry donated around 340kgs (a huge 750lbs) as part of this year’s celebrations on Wednesday the 3rd December, continuing to support our Veterans at the Royal Hospital in spite of the many challenges facing the sector this year.
Dairy UK Chairman Paul Vernon thanked the industry for its generous donations at the Ceremony, as well as paying tribute to Aashi UK and Fuller’s Griffin Brewery for their continued support and donation of Vintage Ale.
Commenting, Mr Vernon said: “The community and camaraderie at the Royal Hospital never fail to inspire us. In a world where genuine connection can sometimes be overlooked, occasions like this remind us how important friendship and shared moments are — especially for healthy ageing. We’re always touched by the warm welcome we receive each year.
“As cheesemakers, we’re proud to donate our delicious, nutrient-rich British cheeses to support this wonderful tradition. Cheese is one of our great national foods and plays an important role in good nutrition throughout life. It’s a privilege to stand alongside the Chelsea Pensioners and be part of a celebration that brings people together in such a meaningful way.”
Cutting this year’s Ceremonial Montgomery Cheddar (a core part of the tradition dating all the way back to 1692) was Chelsea Pensioner Andy Kay (pictured below), aged 75.
Joining the British Army as a boy soldier at 15, Andy enlisted to The Royal Scots where he served in Germany, Cyprus and UK and undertook four operational tours of Northern Ireland. After exercises in Norway, Greece, Denmark, France and Libya, Andy then became a clerk for the last four years of his regular service and left the Army in 1976. Shortly after leaving regular service, he joined the Territorial Army (now Army Reserve), staying with them for six years to become a Chief Clerk.
Andy arrived at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in January 2022 and has since attended several trips representing the Hospital, including to Guernsey to commemorate their liberation in 1945 and to Paris in 2023 to join their Remembrance Ceremony at l’Arc de Triomphe. Andy is also a Museum Guide and enjoys sharing the rich history of the Hospital with its many visitors.
Strictly Come Dancing stars Flavia Cacace and Vincent Simone entertained guests at this year’s event with a captivating performance that included an Argentine tango.
