Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Birgitte |
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| Duchess of Gloucester (more) | |
Birgitte in 2015
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| Born | Birgitte Eva van Deurs Henriksen 20 June 1946 Odense, Denmark |
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| House | Windsor (by marriage) |
| Father | Asger Henriksen |
| Mother | Vivian van Deurs |
Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester (born Birgitte Eva van Deurs Henriksen; 20 June 1946) is a member of the British royal family. She was born in Denmark. She is married to Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester. He is a grandson of King George V.
Contents
Early Life and School
Birgitte Eva van Deurs Henriksen was born in Odense, Denmark, on June 20, 1946. Her father was Asger Preben Wissing Henriksen, a lawyer. Her mother was Vivian van Deurs. Birgitte went to school in Odense. She also studied at special schools in Lausanne and Cambridge.
In 1966, she started using her mother's family name, van Deurs. This was after her parents separated. She studied Commercial and Economic Studies in Copenhagen for three years. In 1971, she moved to the United Kingdom. She worked as a secretary at the Danish Embassy in London.
Marriage and Family Life
Birgitte first met Prince Richard of Gloucester in the late 1960s. He was the younger son of Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester. They met in Cambridge, where he was at university. In February 1972, they announced their engagement.
They got married on July 8, 1972. The wedding took place at St Andrew's Church in Barnwell, Northamptonshire. Birgitte's wedding dress was made of Swiss organdie. She wore stephanotis flowers in her hair instead of a tiara. After marrying, she became known as Her Royal Highness Princess Richard of Gloucester.
Just six weeks after their wedding, something sad happened. Prince Richard's older brother, Prince William of Gloucester, died in a flying accident. This meant Prince Richard became the next in line to become the Duke of Gloucester. When his father passed away in 1974, Prince Richard became the Duke. Birgitte then became the Duchess of Gloucester.
The Duke and Duchess have three children. Their names are Alexander (born 1974), Davina (born 1977), and Rose (born 1980). They were all born in London. The family lives at Kensington Palace.
Public Work and Activities
The Duchess of Gloucester often travels with her husband. They go on official visits to other countries. Their first trip was in 1973. They represented the Queen at King Olav V of Norway's 70th birthday party.
They have visited many countries together. These include Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States. Birgitte has also traveled alone for her own special causes. For example, she visited Iraq in 2008.
The Duke and Duchess have also represented the Queen at important events. They attended the funeral of King Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV of Tonga in 2006. They also went to the coronation of King George Tupou V of Tonga in 2008.
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The Duchess is a "sponsor" for two Royal Navy ships. These ships are HMS Gloucester and HMS Sandown. She is also a royal patron of the Bermuda Regiment.
She supports many charities and organizations. For example, she is a patron of SeeAbility. This charity helps people with learning disabilities and sight loss. She also supports The Lullaby Trust, which works to prevent sudden infant deaths. She is also involved with Music in Hospitals & Care.
The Duchess often attends events at schools and organizations she supports. These include St Paul's Cathedral School and the Royal Alexandra and Albert School. She is also president of the Royal Academy of Music. She became president after the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. She is also a patron of Prostate Cancer UK.
Honours and Awards
The Duchess of Gloucester has received many special honours and awards. These are given to people who have done important work or served their country.
- In 1973, she received the Royal Family Order of Elizabeth II.
- In 1975, she became a Dame of Justice of the Venerable Order of Saint John.
- In 1989, she became a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order. This is a very high honour.
- She has also received medals for the Queen's Jubilee celebrations. These include the Silver Jubilee Medal (1977), Golden Jubilee Medal (2002), Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012), and Platinum Jubilee Medal (2022).
- In 2023, she received the King Charles III Coronation Medal.
- In 2024, she became a Royal Lady Companion of the Order of the Garter. This is one of the oldest and most important orders of knighthood in the United Kingdom.
- She has also received honours from other countries, like Tonga and Mexico.
Military Roles
The Duchess also holds special honorary roles in the military. She is a Colonel-in-Chief for several army units. These include:
- The Royal Australian Army Educational Corps in Australia.
- The Royal Bermuda Regiment in Bermuda.
- The Royal Canadian Dental Corps in Canada.
- The Royal New Zealand Army Educational Corps in New Zealand.
- The Adjutant General's Corps in the United Kingdom.
Children
The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester have three children:
| Name | Birth | Marriage | Children | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Windsor, Earl of Ulster | 24 October 1974 | 22 June 2002 | Claire Booth | Xan Windsor, Lord Culloden Lady Cosima Windsor |
| Lady Davina Windsor | 19 November 1977 | 31 July 2004 Divorced 2018 |
Gary Lewis | Senna Lewis Tāne Lewis |
| Lady Rose Gilman | 1 March 1980 | 19 July 2008 | George Gilman | Lyla Gilman Rufus Gilman |
See also
In Spanish: Brígida de Gloucester para niños
