Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester, (born Birgitte Eva van Deurs Henriksen; 20 June 1946) is a Danish member of the British royal family. She is married to Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, a grandson of George V. They have three children.

Marriage and family

Birgitte first met Prince Richard of Gloucester, the younger son of Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, and Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester, in the late 1960s in Cambridge, where he attended university. In February 1972, their engagement was announced. They married on 8 July 1972 at St Andrew's Church, Barnwell, Northamptonshire.

Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester

Six weeks after their wedding, Prince Richard's elder brother, Prince William of Gloucester, was killed in a flying accident. Prince Richard unexpectedly became heir apparent to the dukedom and upon his father's death in 1974, the couple became the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.

Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester

The couple have three children: Alexander (born 1974), Davina (born 1977), and Rose (born 1980). They were born at St Mary's Hospital, London. The Duke and Duchess officially reside at Kensington Palace.

Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester

20 June 1946-15 January 1966 Miss Birgitte Eva Henriksen

15 January 1966-8 June 1972 Miss Birgitte Eva van Deurs

8 June 1972-10 June 1974 Her Royal Highness Princess Richard of Gloucester

10 June 1974 Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Gloucester

In Scotland: Her Royal Highness The Countess of Ulster

In Northern Ireland: Baroness Culloden

References

Other websites

The Duchess of Gloucester at the Royal Family website

1946 births

Living people

Gloucester

Danish people

Birgitte