Happy birthday to the Duke of Gloucester!
Prince Richard, who is the first cousin of the late Queen, marked his 82nd birthday on Wednesday.
As he is a full-time working royal, the royal family shared a tribute to the Duke on their social media accounts, alongside a new photo, writing: “Happy Birthday to The Duke of Gloucester! 🎉”
The Duke and Duchess, who live at Kensington Palace but mainly stay out of the spotlight, have had a major year, with the Duchess celebrating her 80th birthday in July.
Tributes soon poured in for the Duke, with one person writing: “Happy Birthday to HRH The Duke of Gloucester! 🎂 🥳”
“Wishing him good health, happiness, and many more wonderful years ahead.”
Another commented: “Lovely photo of him at the Holt, Budleigh Salterton Cricket Club – thought I recognised those trees.”
The Royal Collection Trust also shared a throwback picture of the royal as a young child to mark the occasion, picking flowers in a garden.
Who is Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester?
Prince Richard was born in 1944 in Northampton, the youngest son of Prince Henry and Princess Alice. At the time of his birth, he was fifth in line to the throne, and he’s now 33rd, following the latest addition of Princess Eugenie’s daughter, Adelaide.
He is the first cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth, sharing King George V as their grandfather. His father, Prince Henry, was the late Queen’s uncle.
The Duke studied architecture at Magdalene College, Cambridge, which is where he met his wife, Birgitte, before becoming a practicing partner at Hunt Thompson Associates.
He unexpectedly inherited the Dukedom of Gloucester after his older brother, William, died in a flying accident on 28 August 1972. He succeeded his father as Duke of Gloucester following his death in 1974.
The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester live at Kensington Palace. They married on 8 July 1972 and share three children – Alexander Windsor, Earl of Ulster, Lady Davina Windsor and Lady Rose Gilman – and six grandchildren.
The Duke of Gloucester’s most recent public appearances
The Duke and Duchess are full-time Working royals but often keep a lower profile, despite carrying out engagements on behalf of the royal family.
This year, the Duke completed a rare joint engagement with Princess Anne as they visited France to commemorate the 110th anniversary of the start of the Battle of the Somme in July.
© AFP via Getty ImagesThey usually attend high-profile events such as the Commonwealth Day service, Trooping the Colour, and state visits.
The Duke also appeared in the Duchess of Gloucester’s 80th birthday portrait in June, which was taken in the gardens at Buckingham Palace, and they were seen exchanging a loving look.
The royal family’s website says: “He attends national and international events in support of The King and his duties as Head of State, as well as undertaking extensive public duties and engagements every year reflecting his own interests and charities.”
Read the full article here
