Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester
From Freepedia
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.
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Early Life
Birgitte was born Birgitte Eva Henriksen -- she took her maternal grandparent's surname, Van Deurs, when her parents separated -- in Odense, Denmark. She is the younger daughter of the late Asger Preben Wissing Henriksen, a lawyer, and his former wife, the late fru, Vivian Van Deurs.
Birgitte moved to Cambridge, England and also worked at the Danish Embassy in London.
Marriage
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In February 1972, Birgitte became engaged to HRH Prince Richard of Gloucester, the second eldest son of HRH The 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, Northamptonshire. At that date she was styled Her Royal Highness Princess Richard of Gloucester.
Six weeks after their wedding, Prince Richard's elder brother, Prince William, was killed in a flying accident. Prince Richard unexpectedly became heir to the Dukedom and upon his father's death in 1974, the couple became Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
Together the couple have three children:
- Alexander Windsor, Earl of Ulster (born October 24, 1974)
- Lady Davina Lewis, nee Lady Davina Windsor (born November 19,1977)
- Lady Rose Windsor (born March 1, 1980)
None of the children carry out any Royal Duties.
Official role
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 V of Norway.
The Duchess is also sponsor of two Royal Navy Ships: HMS Gloucester and HMS Sandown.
Titles and Honours
Titles
- Fröcken Birgitte Henriksen (20 June 1947-?)
- Fröcken Birgitte van Deurs (?-8 June 1972)
- Her Royal Highness Princess Richard of Gloucester (8 June 1972-10 June 1974)
- Her Royal Highness Princess Richard, Duchess of Gloucester (10 June 1974-23 June 1989)
- Her Royal Highness Princess Richard, Duchess of Gloucester, GCVO (23 June 1989- )
Her full title is Her Royal Highness Princess Richard, Duchess of Gloucester, Countess of Ulster and Baroness Culloden, Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order.
Honours
- Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
- Dame Grand Cross of the Order of St. John (elevated from Dame)
- Queen Elizabeth II Royal Family Order, 2nd Class
Honorary Military Appointments
- Colonel-in-Chief of The Bermuda Regiment
- 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
Categories: 1947 births | British duchesses | English & British princesses | Danish nobility | Dames of Grace of St John
