Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester - Definition and Overview

Her Royal Highness Princess Richard, Duchess of Gloucester (Birgitte Eva Windsor, née van Deurs), styled HRH The Duchess of Gloucester (born June 20, 1947), is a member of the British Royal Family, the wife of HRH Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, a grandchild of King George V.

The Duchess of Gloucester, with her husband, undertakes royal duties on behalf of the Duke's cousin, Queen Elizabeth II.

Early Life

British Royal Family

HM The Queen HRH The Duke of Edinburgh HRH The Prince of Wales    HRH Prince William of Wales    HRH Prince Henry of Wales HRH The Duke of York    HRH Princess Beatrice of York    HRH Princess Eugenie of York HRH The Earl of Wessex HRH The Countess of Wessex    Lady Louise Windsor HRH The Princess Royal HRH The Duke of Gloucester HRH The Duchess of Gloucester HRH The Duke of Kent HRH The Duchess of Kent HRH Prince Michael of Kent HRH Princess Michael of Kent HRH Princess Alexandra

Birgitte was born in Odense, Denmark. She is the younger daughter of the late Asger Preben Wissing Henriksen, a lawyer, and his former wife the late Mrs Vivian van Deurs.

Birgitte moved to Cambridge, England and also worked at the Danish Embassy in London.

Marriage

In February 1972, Birigtte became engaged to HRH Prince Richard of Gloucester, the second eldest son of HRH Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester and HRH The Duchess of Gloucester. The marriage took place on July 8 1972 at St Andrew's Church, Barnwell in Northamptonshire. At that date she was styled Her Royal Highness Princess Richard of Gloucester.

Together the couple have three children:

• Alexander Windsor, Earl of Ulster (born October 24, 1974)
• Lady Davina Windsor (born November 19,1977)
• Lady Rose Windsor (born March 1, 1980)

None of the children carry out any Royal Duties.

Official rôle

The Duchess of Gloucester is Patron of a large number of organisations, many of which have medical, educational or welfare connections. She has also accompanied the Duke of Gloucester on his official visits overseas: her first such visit was in 1973, when The Duke and Duchess represented The Queen at the 70th birthday celebrations of King Olav of Norway.

The Duchess is also sponsor of two Royal Navy Ships: HMS Gloucester and HMS Sandown.

Titles and Honours

Titles

• Ms Birgitte Van-Deurs (1947-1972)
• Her Royal Highness Princess Richard of Gloucester (1972-1974)
• Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Gloucester (1974- )

Honours

• Royal Victorian Order
• Order of St John

Honorary Military Appointments

• Colonel-in-Chief of The Royal Army Dental Corps,
• Deputy Colonel-in-Chief of the Adjutant General's Corps
• Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Australian Army Educational Corps
• Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal New Zealand Army Educational Corps