Duke Gloucester – Family, Wife, Son, Residence and Biography

The Duke of Gloucester is one of the less publicly visible but consistently active members of the British royal family. Prince Richard, the current holder of the title, has carried out thousands of official engagements over five decades while maintaining a lower profile than senior working royals. His story is one of an architect who was unexpectedly propelled into royal life after a family tragedy, and who has since dedicated himself to public service.

Prince Richard was born into royalty as a grandson of King George V, but he did not grow up expecting to inherit the dukedom. His elder brother, Prince William, was the heir. It was only after William’s death in a plane crash in 1972 that Richard’s path shifted. He left a career in architecture, took on the title two years later, and has been a working member of the royal family ever since.

Today, Prince Richard is a first cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II and a full-time working royal. He represents the monarch at events in Britain and abroad, supports more than 150 organisations, and lives with his wife, Birgitte, at Kensington Palace. This article examines his identity, his family, his residence, and his place within the history of the British monarchy.

Who is the Current Duke of Gloucester?

• Prince Richard is the only surviving child of Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, who was a son of King George V.
• He inherited the title only after his older brother, Prince William of Gloucester, died in a plane crash in 1972.
• Unlike senior working royals, the Duke of Gloucester does not receive a direct financial allowance from the Sovereign Grant for his public duties.
• His wife, Birgitte, is a Danish-born former translator, making her a relatively modern addition to the royal family lineage.
• Prince Richard trained and worked professionally as an architect before inheriting the dukedom, a career he left after his brother’s death.
• He is associated with more than 150 organisations through his patronages, focusing on humanitarian issues, heritage, the built environment, and veterans.

Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester: A Short Biography

Prince Richard was born on 26 August 1944 in Northampton, the second son of Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, and Princess Alice. He was educated at home, then at Wellesley House and Eton, before studying architecture at Magdalene College, Cambridge. After university, he worked as a partner in a London architectural firm. His life took a decisive turn in 1972 when his elder brother, Prince William, died in a flying accident, making Richard heir to the dukedom. He succeeded to the title in 1974 upon the death of his father. (source)

His Relationship to Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III

Prince Richard is the youngest of the nine grandchildren of King George V and Queen Mary. This makes him a first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II and a nephew of both Edward VIII and George VI. He is therefore a first cousin once removed to King Charles III. The relationship places him within the extended family of the monarch, though several generations removed from the direct line of succession. (source)

Official Royal Duties and Patronages

The Royal Family describes Prince Richard as a full-time working member who attends national and international events in support of the monarch. He carries out extensive public duties each year and often represents the royal family when the monarch cannot attend. Debretts notes that he is associated with more than 150 organisations, with patronages centred on humanitarian issues, heritage, the built environment, and veterans. (source)

Who is the Duke of Gloucester’s Wife and Family?

Prince Richard married Birgitte van Deurs Henriksen, a Danish-born translator, in 1972. The couple have three children: Alexander Windsor (the Earl of Ulster), Lady Davina Lewis, and Lady Rose Gilman. The Earl of Ulster is the heir to the dukedom.

Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester: Background and Role

Birgitte van Deurs Henriksen was born in Denmark and worked as a translator before her marriage. She and Prince Richard wed in 1972 at St Andrew’s Church in Barnwell, Northamptonshire. As Duchess of Gloucester, she accompanies her husband on official engagements and supports her own roster of charitable organisations. She is known for a relatively low public profile compared to some other royal wives. (source)

The Duke of Gloucester’s Son: Alexander Windsor, Earl of Ulster

Alexander Windsor, the Earl of Ulster, is the eldest child and heir to the dukedom. Born in 1974, he is a private businessman who does not carry out royal duties. He is married with children and lives a largely private life away from the public eye. When Prince Richard passes, Alexander will become the 3rd Duke of Gloucester.

Previous Dukes: Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester

The previous Duke of Gloucester was Prince Henry, the third son of King George V and Queen Mary. He served as Governor-General of Australia from 1945 to 1947 and was the father of both Prince William and Prince Richard. Prince Henry’s death in 1974 passed the title to Richard, who remains the 2nd Duke in the current line of creation. The title itself was first created in 1385 by Edward III for his son Thomas of Woodstock, and has been recreated several times over the centuries. (source)

Where Does the Duke of Gloucester Live?

The official residence of the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester is Kensington Palace, where they currently live. According to the Royal Family website, they reside in a suite of rooms within the palace grounds. Town & Country reports that they formerly occupied Apartment 1 and later moved to the Old Stables within the Kensington Palace estate. (source)

Other Royal Properties and Family Homes

Beyond Kensington Palace, the Duke and Duchess may have access to other royal properties for private use, though their primary and official residence remains at Kensington Palace. Unlike some senior royals, they do not maintain a large country estate. Their living arrangements reflect the status of a working but not front-line royal.

What is the Duke of Gloucester’s Family Tree and Lineage?

Prince Richard’s family tree places him as a grandson of King George V, a nephew of Edward VIII and George VI, and a first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II. His children — the Earl of Ulster, Lady Davina Lewis, and Lady Rose Gilman — represent the next generation of this branch of the royal family.

The Royal Lineage: From King George V to Prince Richard

King George V and Queen Mary had six children, including Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester. Prince Henry married Princess Alice, and their two sons were Prince William and Prince Richard. With William’s death in 1972, Richard became the sole surviving child and successor to the dukedom. He is the youngest of all nine grandchildren of King George V and Queen Mary. (source)

Position in the Line of Succession

Prince Richard is relatively far down the line of succession to the British throne, behind the descendants of Queen Elizabeth II and several other extended family members. His son, the Earl of Ulster, and grandchildren follow him in the succession. His position is distant enough that it is unlikely any of them will ever reign, but it is a formal reminder of his descent from King George V.

How Did the Duke of Gloucester Title Evolve Over Time?

1. 1385: The title Duke of Gloucester is created for the first time by Edward III for his son Thomas of Woodstock.
2. 1461: The title is recreated for Richard, later King Richard III, before merging with the crown.
3. 1928: The most recent creation of the title is made for Prince Henry, the third son of King George V.
4. 1944: Prince Richard is born, the second son of Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester.
5. 1972: Prince Richard’s elder brother, Prince William of Gloucester, dies in a plane crash, making Richard the heir to the dukedom.
6. 1972: Prince Richard marries Birgitte van Deurs Henriksen, who becomes the Duchess of Gloucester.
7. 1974: Prince Richard succeeds his father as the 2nd Duke of Gloucester in the current line of creation.
8. Present day: Prince Richard remains a full-time working member of the Royal Family, carrying out engagements and supporting his patronages.

What Is Known and What Remains Uncertain About the Duke of Gloucester?

What Does the Duke of Gloucester’s Role Mean for the Modern Monarchy?

Prince Richard occupies a distinct position within the royal structure. He is classified as a “minor royal” — a family member who works full-time but does not belong to the direct line of succession. His role is to support the monarch by attending events, representing the crown at home and abroad, and maintaining continuity across the institution’s charitable and ceremonial work. Unlike the Prince of Wales, he does not receive an allowance from the Sovereign Grant for his public duties, meaning his work is largely voluntary in financial terms. His brother’s early death shaped his entire trajectory, transforming a private citizen with an architectural career into a lifelong public servant. As the monarchy evolves toward a slimmer working model, figures like the Duke of Gloucester provide important depth and stability, covering engagements that senior royals cannot attend.

What Do Official Sources Say About the Duke of Gloucester?

“The Duke of Gloucester is the late Queen Elizabeth II’s cousin and a full-time working member of the Royal Family.”

— Royal.uk

“Walter George, KG, GCVO, the 2nd Duke of Gloucester, is a first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II.”

— Debretts

These two sources — the official Royal Family website and Debretts, the authoritative guide to the British peerage — confirm Prince Richard’s identity, his title, and his working status. Both are considered high-authority references for biographical and genealogical information about the royal family. Additional reporting from Town & Country adds context on his residence and public role, noting that he often stands in for the monarch at events.

What Is the Future of the Duke of Gloucester Title?

Prince Richard is now 80 years old and may gradually reduce his public engagements in the years ahead. His son, the Earl of Ulster, is next in line for the title but is currently a private businessman with no public royal role. The transition, when it comes, will involve the handover of the dukedom and likely the reassignment of at least some of Prince Richard’s patronages. The title itself is not expected to be granted to any other member of the royal family — including Prince Harry, for whom a dukedom of Gloucester has sometimes been speculated but is not planned. For more on the broader royal family, see Prince Michael Kent – Alive, Age, Health and Family Facts 2025 and The Queen Is Dead – The Smiths’ Definitive Indie Rock Album.

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