The Royal Family has celebrated one of its most discreet yet dedicated members, the Duke of Gloucester, as he turns 80.
Prince Richard, a cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, marked the start of his ninth decade on August 26th 2024.
(Photo by Charlie Proctor)
The official Royal Family social media accounts were quick to fete him on his special day with a series of posts noting his many public duties and patronages.
The Duke of Gloucester is patron of over 150 charities and carries out hundreds of engagements every year.
(BBC still/ fair use)
Prince Richard Alexander Walter George was born on August 26th 1944 at St. Matthew’s Nursing Home in Northampton, the second and youngest son of Prince Henry and Princess Alice, Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. He was fifth in line to the throne at the time.
The youngest of the grandchildren of Queen Mary and her late husband, King George V, he spent his earliest years in Australia where his father was Governor General from 1945 until 1947. On his return to the UK, the prince was educated at home before going on to Wellesley House School and Eton. He studied architecture at Cambridge and began a career as an architect.
However, in 1972, his life changed forever when his older brother, Prince William, died in a plane crash. Prince Richard was now heir to their father’s dukedom. He had married just weeks before the accident and he and his new wife, Birgitte, began to take on a wide range of royal duties. In 1974, the death of Prince Henry made the couple the new Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. They have since taken on a large number of engagements every year in support of Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III.
(BBC still/ fair use)
The Duke remains one of the busiest members of the Royal Family and already has around 20 engagements lined up for the coming month.
He is celebrating his birthday privately with his family. The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester have three children and six grandchildren.
