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. June 20 is the 171st day of the year (172nd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 194 days remaining. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1947 was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Jump to: navigation, search The British Royal Family is a group of people closely related to the British monarch. ... HRH The Duke of Gloucester Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester (Richard Alexander Walter George Windsor), styled HRH The Duke of Gloucester (born August 26, 1944), is a member of the British Royal Family, a grandson of King George V. He has held the title of Duke of Gloucester since his... George V (George Frederick Ernest Albert Windsor, (3 June 1865–20 January 1936) was the last British monarch of the House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, changing the name to the House of Windsor in 1917. ...

The Duchess of Gloucester, with her husband, undertakes royal duties on behalf of the Duke's cousin, Queen Elizabeth II. Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor), born 21 April 1926) is the Queen regnant of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Antigua and Barbuda...

Early Life

British Royal Family

HM The Queen HRH The Duke of Edinburgh HRH The Prince of Wales HRH The Duchess of Cornwall HRH Prince William of Wales HRH Prince Harry of Wales HRH The Duke of York HRH Princess Beatrice of York HRH Princess Eugenie of York HRH The Earl of Wessex HRH The Countess of Wessex Lady Louise Windsor HRH The Princess Royal HRH The Duke of Gloucester HRH The Duchess of Gloucester HRH The Duke of Kent HRH The Duchess of Kent HRH Prince Michael of Kent HRH Princess Michael of Kent HRH Princess Alexandra

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. Jump to: navigation, search The British Royal Family is a group of people closely related to the British monarch. ... UK Royal Coat of Arms This work is copyrighted. ... Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor), born 21 April 1926) is the Queen regnant of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Antigua and Barbuda... HRH The Duke of Edinburgh The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, KG, KT, OM, GBE, AC, QSO, PC, (Philip Mountbatten, formerly Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark) (born 10 June 1921) is the consort of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. ... HRH The Prince of Wales The Prince Charles, Prince of Wales (Charles Philip Arthur George Mountbatten-Windsor) (born 14 November 1948), is the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. ... Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, after their wedding ceremony The Duchess of Cornwall Camilla Rosemary Mountbatten-Windsor (The Duchess of Rothesay in Scotland), formerly Camilla Parker Bowles, née Shand, is a member of the British Royal Family. ... HRH Prince William of Wales William Arthur Philip Louis Prince William of Wales (William Arthur Philip Louis Mountbatten-Windsor), born 21 June 1982, is a member of the British Royal Family, grandson of Queen Elizabeth II and first son of the Prince of Wales and the late Diana, Princess of... Prince Harry of Wales Henry Charles Albert David Prince Henry of Wales (Henry Charles Albert David Mountbatten-Windsor) (born September 15, 1984), informally named Prince Harry by his parents, is the third in the line of succession to the British throne and the thrones of other Commonwealth Realms, behind his... HRH The Duke of York The Prince Andrew, Duke of York, (Andrew Albert Christian Edward Mountbatten-Windsor) styled HRH The Duke of York (born February 19, 1960), is a member of the British Royal Family, the third child and second son of Queen Elizabeth II and Lord Porchester. ... Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice Elizabeth Mary of York (Beatrice Elizabeth Mary Mountbatten-Windsor) (born August 8, 1988) is a member of the British Royal Family. ... Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie of York (Eugenie Victoria Helena Mountbatten-Windsor) (born March 23, 1990) is a member of the British Royal Family, a granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II. Princess Eugenie is currently sixth in the line of succession. ... The Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, KCVO (Edward Antony Richard Louis Mountbatten-Windsor), styled HRH The Earl of Wessex (born March 10, 1964), is a member of the British Royal Family, the youngest son of Queen Elizabeth II. He has held the title of Earl of Wessex since 1999. ... HRH The Countess of Wessex The Countess of Wessex (Sophie Helen Mountbatten-Windsor, née Rhys-Jones), (born January 20, 1965), is a member of the British Royal Family, the wife of HRH The Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, the youngest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke... The Lady Louise Alice Elizabeth Mary Mountbatten-Windsor (born 8 November 2003) is a member of the British Royal Family. ... HRH The Princess Royal Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise The Princess Anne, Princess Royal, LG, LT, GCVO, QSO (Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise Laurence, formerly Phillips, née Mountbatten-Windsor), styled HRH The Princess Royal (born August 15, 1950), is a member of the British Royal Family. ... HRH The Duke of Gloucester Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester (Richard Alexander Walter George Windsor), styled HRH The Duke of Gloucester (born August 26, 1944), is a member of the British Royal Family, a grandson of King George V. He has held the title of Duke of Gloucester since his... HRH The Duke of Kent His Royal Highness Prince Edward, Duke of Kent KG GCMG GCVO (Edward George Nicholas Patrick Windsor), styled HRH The Duke of Kent (born 9 October 1935), is a member of the British Royal Family, a grandchild of King George V. He has held the title... Her Royal Highness Princess Edward, Duchess of Kent (Katharine Lucy Mary Windsor, formerly Worsley), styled HRH The Duchess of Kent, is a member of the British Royal Family the wife of HRH Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, a grandson of King George V and cousin of Queen Elizabeth II. The... HRH Prince Michael of Kent Prince Michael of Kent (Michael George Charles Franklin Windsor) is a member of the British Royal Family, a grandson of King George V. Prince Michael of Kent does not normally carry out royal duties on behalf of his cousin, Queen Elizabeth II. Instead, he manages... HRH Princess Michael of Kent HRH Princess Michael of Kent, born Baroness Marie-Christine Anna Agnes Hedwig Ida von Reibnitz, is a member of the British Royal Family. ... HRH Princess Alexandra Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy (Alexandra Helen Elizabeth Olga Christabel Ogilvy, née Windsor), formerly Princess Alexandra of Kent, is a member of the British Royal Family, a granddaughter of King George V. She was married to the late Sir Angus Ogilvy. ... Odense Palace Odense Theatre Odense Railroad Centre Odense is the third largest city in Denmark with 145,554 inhabitants (Odense city 1st January 2004) and the capital of the island of Funen. ... For information on the type of fish called Lawyer, see the article on Burbot. ...

Birgitte moved to Cambridge, England and also worked at the Danish Embassy in London. This article is about Cambridge, England; see also other places called Cambridge. ... The clock tower of the Palace of Westminster, which contains Big Ben London is the capital city of the United Kingdom and of England. ...

Marriage

Styles of The Duchess of Gloucester Reference style Her Royal Highness Spoken style Your Royal Highness Alternative style Ma'am

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. UK Royal Coat of Arms This work is copyrighted. ... A style is a form of address which by tradition or law precedes a reference to a person who holds a title or post, or to the office itself. ... HRH is an abbreviation for the style His Royal Highness or Her Royal Highness. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1972 was a leap year that started on a Saturday. ... An engagement is an agreement by a couple to enter into marriage at some future time, usually accompanied by a formal or informal announcement to friends and family. ... The Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, KG, KT, KP, GCB, GCMG, GCVO, PC (31 March 1900–10 June 1974) was the third son of King George V of the United Kingdom and Queen Mary, the brother of King Edward VIII (later Duke of Windsor) and King George VI, and the... Her Royal Highness Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester (Alice Christabel Montagu-Douglas-Scott) (December 25, 1901 – October 29, 2004) was the wife of the Duke of Gloucester — the third son of King George V and Queen Mary. ... July 8 is the 189th day of the year (190th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 176 days remaining. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1972 was a leap year that started on a Saturday. ... Barnwell (formerly Barnwell All Saints and Barnwell St Andrew) is a village in the district of East Northamptonshire in England, south of the town of Oundle. ...

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. Note: This is an article about the grandson of King George V, for the great grandson of King George II who was also known as Prince William of Gloucester, see Prince William, Duke of Gloucester Prince William of Gloucester (William Henry Andrew Frederick Windsor), (December 18, 1941 – August 28, 1972...

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. the Earl of Ulster Alexander Patrick Gregers Richard Windsor, Earl of Ulster (born 24 October 1974) is the only son of the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. ... October 24 is the 297th day of the year (298th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 68 days remaining. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1974 is a common year starting on Tuesday (click on link for calendar). ... The Lady Davina Elizabeth Alice Benedikte Lewis, née Windsor, is the eldest daughter of HRH The Duke of Gloucester. ... Jump to: navigation, search November 19 is the 323rd day of the year (324th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1977 was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1977 calendar). ... [1]Lady Rose Victoria Brigitte Louise Windsor (b. ... March 1 is the 60th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (61st in leap years). ... Jump to: navigation, search 1980 is a leap year starting on Tuesday. ...

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. His Majesty King Olav V (July 2, 1903 - January 17, 1991) reigned as King of Norway from 1957 to 1991. ...

The Duchess is also sponsor of two Royal Navy Ships: HMS Gloucester and HMS Sandown. Jump to: navigation, search The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the senior service of the British armed services, being the oldest of its three branches. ... Eleven vessels, and one planned, of the British Royal Navy have been named HMS Gloucester, after Gloucester, the city in England. ... Three ships of the British Royal Navy have been named 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. June 20 is the 171st day of the year (172nd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 194 days remaining. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1947 was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... June 8 is the 159th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (160th in leap years), with 206 days remaining. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1972 was a leap year that started on a Saturday. ... June 8 is the 159th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (160th in leap years), with 206 days remaining. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1972 was a leap year that started on a Saturday. ... June 10 is the 161st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (162nd in leap years), with 204 days remaining. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1974 is a common year starting on Tuesday (click on link for calendar). ... June 10 is the 161st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (162nd in leap years), with 204 days remaining. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1974 is a common year starting on Tuesday (click on link for calendar). ... June 23 is the 174th day of the year (175th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 191 days remaining. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1989 is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... June 23 is the 174th day of the year (175th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 191 days remaining. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1989 is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

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

Victoria founded the Royal Victorian Order. ... This page deals with the order after its revival in the 19th century. ... The Royal Family Order is an order awarded by the sovereign of the United Kingdom to female members of the royal family. ...

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