Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Prince Richard
Duke of Gloucester (more)
Richard in 2023
Born	Prince Richard of Gloucester (1944-08-26) 26 August 1944 (age 81) 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 also 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.

Richard worked as an architect for a while. However, his life changed when his older brother, William, sadly passed away in 1972. This meant Richard was next in line to become the Duke of Gloucester. He took on the title in 1974. He married Birgitte van Deurs Henriksen on 8 July 1972, and they have three children together.

Early Life

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. His mother was the daughter of the Duke of Buccleuch.

When Richard was born, he was second in line to his father's title, the Dukedom of Gloucester. His older brother, Prince William, was first in line. Sadly, Prince William died in a plane crash in 1972.

Richard was baptised on 20 October 1944. One of his godparents was his aunt, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. When he was four months old, he went with his parents to Australia. His father was the governor-general there from 1945 to 1947. After that, the family returned to their home, Barnwell Manor, where Richard grew up.

Education and Career

Prince Richard started his education at home. Later, he attended Wellesley House School and Eton College. In 1963, he went to Magdalene College, Cambridge, to study architecture. He earned his first degree in June 1966.

In 1966, Richard worked for a year at the Ministry of Public Building and Works. He then went back to Cambridge and finished his architecture degree in 1969. After passing his exams, he became a working architect in London.

Marriage and Family

On 8 July 1972, Prince Richard married Danish-born Birgitte van Deurs Henriksen. They were married 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 September 2022, the Duke put the manor up for sale.

Royal Duties and Activities

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

He has been a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects since 1972. He is also involved with many other groups. For example, he is president of the Society of Architect Artists. He is also a commissioner of Historic England, which helps protect old buildings and sites. He supports the Construction Youth Trust, a charity that helps young people get into construction jobs.

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester

The Duke is also a vice president of Lepra, a charity that helps people with leprosy. He is a royal patron of the Society of Antiquaries of London, which studies history and old objects. He is also a patron of Habitat for Humanity, a charity that builds homes for people in need.

The Duke of Gloucester has represented the Queen at important events. For example, he attended the independence ceremonies for the Seychelles in 1976 and the Solomon Islands in 1978.

On 10 April 2008, the Duke 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 is also the patron of the Richard III Society, sharing a name with the famous king.

The Duke in 2018 visiting the National Churches Trust

The Duke supports many other charities and organizations. These include the de Havilland Aircraft Museum, the British Society of Soil Science, and St Bartholomew's Hospital. In March 2013, the Duke represented Queen Elizabeth II at the Vatican for the inauguration of Pope Francis.

In March 2015, the Duke visited the Royal School Dungannon to celebrate its 400th anniversary. He also represented the Queen at the reburial 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. He visited projects related to health, wildlife, and climate change.

On 14 September 2022, after the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the Duke walked in the procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall. This was for her lying in state.

The Duke and Duchess riding in the Scottish State Coach with Vice-Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence following 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.

Titles and Honours

Titles and Styles

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

Honours

Prince Richard has received many honours from the United Kingdom and other countries. Some of these include:

• Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (1974)
• Grand Prior and Bailiff Grand Cross of the Order of St John (1975)
• Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter (1997)
• Recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal (1953)
• Recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal (1977)
• Recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (2002)
• Recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012)
• Recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (2022)
• Recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal (2023)
• Star of the Solomon Islands (2008)

Honorary Military Roles

The Duke of Gloucester holds several honorary military appointments:

• Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Australian Army Education Corps (Australia)
• Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal New Zealand Army Medical Corps (New Zealand)
• Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Anglian Regiment (United Kingdom)
• Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Army Medical Service (United Kingdom)
• Honorary Air Marshal in the Royal Air Force (United Kingdom)

Family

See also

In Spanish: Ricardo de Gloucester para niños

• British prince