Today, Birgitte, the Duchess of Gloucester, will celebrate her 75th birthday. A Danish member of the British Royal Family, Birgitte is married to Prince Richard, the Duke of Gloucester, who is a first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II. Together the couple has three children: Alexander Windsor, Earl of Ulster (b. 1974), Lady Davina Windsor (b. 1977), and Lady Rose Gilman (b.1980). On her milestone birthday, Royal Central is taking a look at key moments of the Duchess’s life through the decades.
February 1972
Embed from Getty ImagesIn February 1972, Birgitte and Richard announced their engagement. The future duchess was given a ring of coral and silver designed by her future husband. The two met in the late 1960s in Cambridge while he attended university.
8 July 1972
Embed from Getty ImagesBirgitte van Deurs married Prince Richard of Gloucester at St Andrew’s Parish Church, Barnwell, Northamptonshire. The bride wore a dress designed by Norman Hartnell and instead of wearing a tiara, she wore stephanotis flowers on her hair to secure the veil. The word stephanotis derives from the Greek word, stephanōtís meaning fit for a crown.
13 July 1980
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Duke and Duchess pictured at the christening of their daughter, Lady Rose, at Barnwell Parish Church near Peterborough. Rose was born on 1 March of 1980.
30 June 1989
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Duke and Duchess pose at their home in Kensington Palace to mark their 17th wedding anniversary.
1989
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Duke and Duchess are pictured with their children, Earl of Ulster, Lady Davina, and Lady Rose, at their home in Barnwell Manor in Northamptonshire. The exact date this photo was taken is unknown.
25 May 1995
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Duke and Duchess arrive for The Amir of Kuwait banquet at Claridge’s Hotel in London.
14 May 1997
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Duke and Duchess arrive at The House of Lords for the State Opening of Parliament.
22 October 1999
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Duke and Duchess attend a dinner held by The Corporation of London to mark the 90th anniversary of The Order at Guildhall in London.
20 June 2013
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Duchess poses with residents in East London during a Coronation Party to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
10 July 2018
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Duke and Duchess join other members of the Royal Family, the Earl and Countess of Wessex and The Princess Royal and Timothy Laurence for an event marking the Centenary of the RAF. In this photo, members of the Royal Family are watching the Horse Guards Parade taking place at Buckingham Palace.
