The Duke of Gloucester celebrated his 80th birthday, with the Royal Family’s official social media accounts marking the occasion by highlighting his numerous public
duties and charitable patronages.
The Duke, who is patron of over 150 charities, is known for his active role in the Royal Family, carrying out hundreds of engagements each year.
Born Prince Richard Alexander Walter George on August 26, 1944, at St. Matthew’s Nursing Home in Northampton, he was the second and youngest son of Prince Henry and Princess Alice, Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. At birth, he was fifth in line to the throne.
The Duke spent his early years in Australia, where his father served as Governor-General from 1945 to 1947. Upon returning to the UK, he was educated at home before attending Wellesley House School and Eton. He later studied architecture at Cambridge and pursued a career in the field.
In July 1972, Prince Richard married Birgitte van Deurs. However, just weeks later, his life took a dramatic turn when his older brother, Prince William, tragically died in a plane crash. This event made Prince Richard the heir to his father’s dukedom. Following the death of Prince Henry in 1974, Richard and Birgitte became the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, taking on a wide array of royal duties in support of Queen Elizabeth II and, more recently, King Charles III.
For decades, the Duke of Gloucester has been a key figure in the Royal Family, maintaining a busy schedule of engagements. He continues to be one of its most active members, with around 20 engagements already planned for the coming month. Photo by Charlie Dave, Wikimedia commons.
