Brigitte, the Duchess of Gloucester, turns 80 today. The Royal News Organisation looks back at the dedicated life of the stalwart of the British Royal Family.
If there was one person who was seen in the background at every major royal event at home and abroad over the past 50 years, it would be that of The Duchess of Gloucester. Her Royal Highness married into the family in the early 70’s and is an integral part of the institution we see today. From everyday engagements across the country to carriage rides down The Mall during Trooping to glittering galas and coronations around the world, Brigitte has ingratiated herself into the steadfast Duchess who exemplifies everything service represents.
Birgitte Eva van Deurs Henriksen was born on 20 June 1946 in Odense, Denmark. A daughter of the late Asger Preben Wissing Henriksen, a lawyer, and his former wife, the late Mrs Vivian van Deurs. Birgitte was educated at school in her home of Odense and later at finishing schools in Lausanne and Cambridge.
It was in Cambridge that she met the future Duke of Gloucester, then Prince Richard of Gloucester, who was an undergraduate reading architecture at the university. Birgitte also worked as a secretary at the Danish Embassy during her time in London. Richard and Birgitte struck up a genuine match together and fell in love. Their engagement was announced in February 1972.
Prince Richard was the son of the late Duke of Gloucester, his father, Prince Henry, a son of King George V and Queen Mary. There was no prospect of Richard becoming the Duke, inheriting many of the responsibilities which came with it, nor for Birgitte to have such a prominent role in the world’s most well-known family. Richard’s older brother, Prince William, was set to become the next Duke after their father, which left Richard able to see a simpler future for his life with no direct spotlight of the ever-growing media presence.
Richard and Birgitte married on 8 July 1972 at St Andrew’s Church, Barnwell in Northamptonshire. The intimate ceremony was attended by the Queen Mother, Princess Margaret, and Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone. The bride wore a sumptuous yet understated creation by renowned designer Norman Hartnell, with a small train and no tiara. Birgitte instead wore stephanotis flowers secured to her veil. Upon their marriage, the couple were styled Prince and Princess Richard of Gloucester.
Just six weeks after their nuptials, tragedy struck the Gloucester family. Prince William, Richard’s older brother, was killed in an aeroplane crash. The late Prince was a licensed pilot, owning and maintaining several aircraft for air shows and races. On 28 August, 1972, William was flying in the Goodyear International Air Trophy at Halfpenny Green near Wolverhampton, northwest of Birmingham, with fellow racer Vyrell Mitchell, who often piloted aircraft with the Prince. Just after takeoff, in a stroke of bad luck, the plane the two were flying banked sharply, hit a tree, and crashed into the ground. Neither survived, despite immediate failed efforts due to flames, and were extracted after firefighters battled for two hours to get a hold of the blaze. Prince William is buried in the Royal Burial Ground at Frogmore in Windsor.
The death of Prince William had irrevocable consequences for the Gloucester Family, as well as the newly married Richard and Birgitte. This meant that one day the couple would take on the mountain of responsibilities that come with being a working royal. That day would be sooner than could be imagined.
With Richard’s father, Prince Henry, so ill, this may have led to a pause in starting a family for the two of them. Prince Henry suffered from strokes and deteriorating mobility issues in later life. He was so sick that it is believed he was not told of Prince William’s death in the plane crash. Prince Henry died on 10 June, 1974 at Barnwell Manor in Northamptonshire. Upon his father’s death, Richard inherited the title of Duke of Gloucester, with Birgitte becoming the new Duchess of Gloucester.
The Duke and Duchess had their first child, the Earl of Ulster (Alexander Windsor), in October 1974; their second, Lady Davina Lewis, in November 1977; and a third, Lady Rose Gilman, in March 1980. All of whom are now married and have children of their own.
The Duchess of Gloucester supports the Royal Family and King Charles in his role as Head of State by representing His Majesty at events around the United Kingdom and abroad. The Duchess represented the late Queen Elizabeth II at state and ceremonial events for decades, such as the State Funeral of King Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV of Tonga in 2006 and the subsequent coronation of King George Tupou V. Her Royal Highness also accompanied her husband on many visits across the country.
The Duchess attends several important Royal occasions each year, such as Trooping the Colour and Remembrance Day at the Cenotaph in central London. She also accompanies the Duke to key commemorations and services such as the Victory in Japan ceremony at St Martin in the Fields.
At times, Birgitte will join Richard on his official visits, including those overseas. One of the first such visits was to Mexico in 1973. More recently, she attended the Inauguration of Pope Francis at the Vatican with the Duke of Gloucester in 2013.
The Duchess of Gloucester used to travel extensively to undertake engagements, many of which were related to the more than 60 organisations with which she is connected, across the arts, sport, health, welfare, education and the military. The Duke and Duchess have both slowed their overseas travel, but still occasionally undertake engagements abroad. The Duchess recently visited her home country of Denmark to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Danish liberation, as well as recurring visits to the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda in her role as Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Bermuda Regiment. In 2008, Her Royal Highness met soldiers deployed on operations in Iraq.
The Duchess of Gloucester supports many charities and organisations, spanning diverse interests and causes, ranging from the Lawn Tennis Association to the Children’s Society, the Friends of St Paul’s Cathedral to Parkinson’s UK, Hope for Youth Northern Ireland to Scottish Opera.
Today, the Duchess of Gloucester lives with her husband at their home at Kensington Palace and remains a steadfast Member of the British Royal Family.
The two are expected to spend the Duchess’s birthday privately with family.
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