Duchess of Gloucester shows off the look of love as she poses for photoshoot with her adoring prince husband to mark her 80th birthday

The Duchess of Gloucester has nothing but love in her eyes as she poses with her royal husband, Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, in a photo shoot to celebrate her 80th birthday.

Her Majesty Birgitte smiled fondly at her husband, who is a year older, in brand new portraits taken in the gardens of Buckingham Palace to celebrate his milestone birthday.

Grandson of King George V and the late Queen Elizabeth II. Elizabeth’s cousin, Prince Richard, looked every bit the doting husband as he gazed lovingly at his Danish-born wife.

Birgitte, who turned 80 on Saturday, wore an elegant sage green matching skirt and belted jacket, and completed her look with a pearl necklace and gold accessories.

Prince Richard, who was photographed affectionately putting his arm around his wife’s shoulders, wore a gray suit and brown striped tie for the occasion.

A solo photograph of Birgitte was also taken, depicting her in the Yellow Drawing Room of Buckingham Palace. Wearing a cream dress and a string of green and white pearls, the Duchess’s smile is captivating.

To commemorate her ninth decade, the Royal Family’s official Instagram account shared a series of photos of Birgitte over the years with the caption: ‘Today, the Duchess of Gloucester celebrates her 80th birthday!

‘Scroll to discover more about Her Majesty’s life and work.’

Birgitte, who turns 80 on Saturday, wore an elegant sage green matching skirt and belted jacket for the photos.

Birgitte, seen in Buckingham Palace’s Yellow Drawing Room, has become an integral member of the Royal Family over the last fifty years

Birgitte, who has become an integral member of the Royal Family over the last fifty years, was born in Odense, Denmark, to lawyer Asger Henriksen and his wife Vivian van Deurs, and grew up in a privileged but ordinary home.

She met Prince Richard, to whom she has been married for 53 years, in the late 1960s while attending finishing school in Cambridge, where the young royal was studying architecture.

At the time, Prince Richard was fifth in line to the throne but was largely seen as a ‘backup’ as his older brother Prince William was set to take over the dukedom.

After completing her studies, Birgitte moved to London in 1971 to work as a secretary at the Royal Danish Embassy in London. A year later she and Richard became engaged.

The couple married at St Andrew’s Church in Barnwell, Northamptonshire, in 1972 and had three children: Alexander Windsor, Lady Davina and Lady Rose.

Following the sudden death of Prince William at the age of 30 when his plane crashed during an amateur air race, Prince Richard became heir to the dukedom. Upon the death of his father, Prince Henry, in 1974, Richard and Birgitte became the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.

Since then, Birgitte has been ringside at every royal event over the past 50 years, gaining a reputation for her quiet, drama-free demeanor.

She and her husband are known in the royal inner circles for their devotion and duty to each other.

Birgitte and Prince Richard married at St Andrew’s Church in 1972. They became the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester in 1974.

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester have attended some of the most important events on the royal calendar over the last fifty years. They are photographed here attending the annual Garter Service at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.

Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester (far right) is seen on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for this year’s Joining Colorful Red Arrows demonstration

A friend of the Duchess’s named Anne told the Mail that the Duke and Duchess were ‘very good together and good to each other’ as a couple.

He said: ‘Their lives were very different to what they expected but they were both very committed to their duties.

‘HE [Birgitte] She is a very curious, helpful and kind woman. He just wanted to do his best.”

Birgitte supports around 60 charities and patronages, is a sponsor of two Royal Navy ships and is president of the Royal Academy of Music.

And from Trooping the Color to Royal Ascot, he regularly became a reassuring presence for the most senior members of the family, including King Charles and Camilla.

At this year’s Trooping the Colour, held on Saturday, June 13, the Duchess was captured with her husband on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for a Red Arrows performance alongside the King and Queen, the Welsh and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh.

Considered among the most important ceremonial events in the royal calendar, Trooping the Color celebrates the birthday of the head of state.

On Tuesday, Birgitte appeared at Royal Ascot and was photographed walking alongside Queen Consort Camilla.

Both women wore elegant light blue dresses and hats for the annual festival, which this year runs from Tuesday to Sunday.

Birgitte regularly became a reassuring presence for the most senior members of the family, including King Charles and Queen Camilla. Picture taken with Camilla at Royal Ascot on June 16, 2026

Birgitte and Prince Richard looked the picture of happiness at Royal Ascot on Tuesday

Birgitte appeared on the penultimate day of Royal Ascot in an elegant blue coat dress

The Duchess was all smiles at Saturday’s races

Birgitte made her second appearance at the races on the penultimate day of Royal Ascot and her birthday on Saturday.

The Duchess was photographed beaming on her special day, wearing a sophisticated landscape blue blazer dress and white hat adorned with blue flowers.

Demonstrating the importance he has placed on family for decades, King Charles made Birgitte a member of the Order of the Garter, the highest order of chivalry, as one of his first gestures as monarch and a sign of his gratitude.

A source told the Mail that Birgitte was so touched by the honor she cried.

“He is a consummate soldier and has never caused the Royal Family to worry a day in his life,” a palace insider said.

‘And he never, ever wants to be the center of attention. It’s there when they call.’