Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester Facts for Kids

This page is about the current Duke of Gloucester. For the king previously known as Richard, Duke of Gloucester, see Richard III of England.

Quick facts for kids

Prince Richard

Duke of Gloucester (more)

Richard in 2023

Born

Prince Richard of Gloucester
26 August 1944 (age 80)
St Matthew's Nursing Home, Northampton, England

Spouse

Birgitte van Deurs Henriksen

(m. 1972)

Issue

Alexander Windsor, Earl of Ulster
Lady Davina Windsor
Lady Rose Gilman

Full name
Richard Alexander Walter George

House

Windsor

Father

Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester

Mother

Lady Alice Montagu Douglas Scott

Alma mater

Magdalene College, Cambridge

Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester (born Richard Alexander Walter George on 26 August 1944) is a member of the British royal family. He is the second son of Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, and Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester. He is the youngest of King George V's nine grandchildren. This makes him a nephew of Edward VIII and George VI, and a first cousin to Elizabeth II.

Prince Richard is currently 31st in line to the succession to the British throne. He is the highest person on this list who is not a direct descendant of King George VI. When he was born, he was 5th in line to the throne. Richard used to work as an architect. However, his life changed when his older brother, William, sadly passed away. This meant Richard was next in line to inherit his father's title, the dukedom of Gloucester. He became Duke of Gloucester in 1974. He married Birgitte van Deurs Henriksen on 8 July 1972, and they have three children.

Early Life and Royal Connections
Education and Career Path
Marriage and Family Life
Royal Duties and Activities
Titles and Honours
Images for kids
See also

Early Life and Royal Connections

Prince Richard with his father in 1945

Prince Richard was born on 26 August 1944 in Northampton, England. He was the second son of Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester and Alice, Duchess of Gloucester. His father was the third son of King George V and Queen Mary. Richard's older brother, Prince William of Gloucester, was originally set to inherit their father's title. However, William died in an accident in 1972 before he could inherit the title or have children. This meant Richard became the next in line.

When Richard was just four months old, he traveled with his parents to Australia. His father served as the Governor-General of Australia from 1945 to 1947. After their time in Australia, the family returned to their home, Barnwell Manor, in 1947. Richard spent most of his childhood there.

Education and Career Path

Prince Richard began his education at home. Later, he attended Wellesley House School and Eton College. In 1963, he went to Magdalene College, Cambridge, where he studied architecture. He earned his first degree in June 1966 and a master's degree in 1971.

After college, Richard worked for a year at the Ministry of Public Building and Works. He then went back to Cambridge to finish his architecture studies in 1969. After passing his exams, he became a practicing architect in London.

Marriage and Family Life

On 8 July 1972, Prince Richard married Danish-born Birgitte van Deurs Henriksen. Their wedding took place at St Andrew's Church in Barnwell, Northamptonshire. The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester have three children:

Alexander Patrick Gregers Richard Windsor, Earl of Ulster (born 24 October 1974)
Lady Davina Elizabeth Alice Benedikte Windsor (born 19 November 1977)
Lady Rose Victoria Birgitte Louise Gilman (born 1 March 1980)

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester live at Kensington Palace in London. They have rented out their private home, Barnwell Manor, since 1994. In 2022, the Duke put the manor up for sale.

Royal Duties and Activities

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester

Prince Richard stopped working as an architect in 1972. This was because his older brother, Prince William of Gloucester, died in a plane crash. Richard then became the next in line to his father's title. This meant he had to take on more royal duties and responsibilities for the Queen. He officially became the Duke of Gloucester when his father passed away on 10 June 1974.

The Duke of Gloucester is involved with many different organizations. He is a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects. He is also the president of the Society of Architect Artists. He helps with English Heritage, which looks after historic buildings and monuments in England. He is a patron for the Construction Youth Trust, a charity that helps young people get into construction jobs. He also supports the Architects Benevolent Society.

The Duke is a vice president of Lepra, a charity that helps people with leprosy. He is also a royal patron of the Society of Antiquaries of London, which studies history and archaeology. He supports Habitat for Humanity, a charity that builds homes for people in need. He is also president of The London Society, which cares about London's future.

Prince Richard enjoys driving and used to be the president of the Institute of Advanced Motorists for over 32 years. In 1978, he and the Duchess represented Queen Elizabeth II at the Solomon Islands independence celebrations.

In 2008, the Duke of Gloucester became the first Chancellor of the University of Worcester. In this role, he attends graduation ceremonies and promotes the university. He is also a patron of the Severn Valley Railway and the Pestalozzi International Village Trust. He shares a name with an earlier Duke of Gloucester, Richard III, and has been a patron of the Richard III Society since 1980.

The Duke visiting the National Churches Trust in 2018

The Duke supports many other charities and organizations, including the British Society of Soil Science and the International Council on Monuments and Sites. In 2013, he represented Queen Elizabeth II at the Vatican for the inauguration of Pope Francis.

In 2015, the Duke visited the Royal School Dungannon in Northern Ireland to celebrate its 400th anniversary. He also represented the Queen at the reburial and commemorations of King Richard III in Leicester Cathedral. King Richard III had also held the title Duke of Gloucester before he became king. In March 2018, the Duke traveled to Malawi for Commonwealth Day celebrations, visiting projects related to health, wildlife, and climate change.

On 14 September 2022, after the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the Duke joined other members of the royal family in the procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall for her lying in state.

The Duke and Duchess riding in the Scottish State Coach after the coronation on 6 May 2023

In 2023, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester attended the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey. They also took part in the Coronation Procession after the service, along with other working members of the Royal Family.

Titles and Honours

26 August 1944 – 10 June 1974: His Royal Highness Prince Richard of Gloucester
10 June 1974 – present: His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester

Prince Richard has received several honours throughout his life. He is a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order and a Grand Prior and Bailiff Grand Cross of the Order of St John. In 1997, he became a Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. He has also received various jubilee medals for Queen Elizabeth II's reign and the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

He holds honorary military appointments in Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. These roles connect him to different parts of the armed forces, like the Royal Australian Army Education Corps and the Royal Anglian Regiment.