Little-known royal marks huge milestone moment | Royal | News
Despite decades of hard work and dedication of their time to supporting the good work of others, there are a few members of the Royal Family who are often overlooked.
Among those high on the list is the Duchess of Gloucester. The Duchess is King Charles’ once-deposed cousin, Queen Elizabeth II. She is the wife of Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, 81, who is Elizabeth’s first cousin.
The Duchess, born Birgitte Eva van Deurs Henriksen, never expected to devote herself fully to the monarchy when she married Prince Richard in July 1972. As she celebrates her milestone 80th birthday on Saturday, who exactly is this hard-working royal?
Although Princes Richard and Birgitte are less well-known among fans of the Royal Family, they are both full-time royals who live at Kensington Palace and support King Charles through various patronages, military connections and official commitments.
The Duke and Duchess married in 1972 and have three children: Alexander Windsor, Earl of Ulster, Lady Davina Windsor and Lady Rose Gilman.
The couple never expected to become so involved in the Royal Family, as they married while Prince Richard’s older brother, Prince William of Gloucester, was still alive and are expected to one day succeed their father, Prince Henry, and become the next Duke of Gloucester.
However, Prince William died when he was involved in a devastating plane crash at an air show in 1972. As a result, Richard became the heir apparent and succeeded his father just two years later in 1974.
The Duchess of Gloucester is a popular member of the group. Royal Family A person who is often photographed at state events or smiling with others at official meetings.
He regularly accompanies Queen Camilla to official engagements, such as the one she hosted at Clarence House for the Queen’s Reading Room project.
As for her main areas of philanthropy, Birgitte is involved with many organisations, from the Lawn Tennis Association to the Children’s Society, from Friends of St Paul’s Cathedral to Parkinson’s UK, from Hope for Northern Ireland Youth to the Scottish Opera.
