Gurkha soldiers on parade in London. There are around 3,500 Gurkhas currently serving in the British Army.
Royal Family members are attending a pageant to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Gurkhas in the British military Prince Harry - who lived with Gurkha battalion in Afghanistan - and Prince Charles have been pictured arriving The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh are also attending along with hundreds of serving Gurkhas and veterans Battle re-enactments and musical performances by the Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas will be part of the evening The Queen tonight led moving celebrations marking two centuries of Gurkha service with the British Armed Forces, as senior royals and military veterans alike bowed their heads in memory of those who died in the Nepalese earthquake. Some 8,000 people were killed and thousands more injured when the Himalayan country - home of the Gurkha fighters - suffered a devastating earthquake on April 25. Tonight's celebrations marking the bicentenary of Gurkha service, in the sprawling grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, took on added significance as the Queen, joined by the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales and Prince Harry, led the 1,400 guests in a minute's silence. Prince Harry, who will leave the Army this month after 10 years, also revealed to guests that he once wanted to join the Gurkhas.
