Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester

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

Early life and education Birgitte Eva van Deurs Henriksen was born on 20 June 1946 in Odense, Denmark, the younger daughter of lawyer Asger Preben Wissing Henriksen and his wife, Vivian van Deurs. She was educated in Odense and later attended finishing schools in Lausanne and Cambridge. She took her mother's ancestral name, van Deurs, on 15 January 1966 following her parents' separation. After completing a three-year course in Commercial and Economic Studies in Copenhagen, she moved to the United Kingdom in 1971 to work as a secretary at the Royal Danish Embassy in London. Their engagement was announced in February 1972. Upon marriage, she assumed the style Her Royal Highness Princess Richard of Gloucester. They had leased their private home, Barnwell Manor, since 1994. In September 2022, Richard put the manor up for sale for £4.75 million and it was sold in April 2024.

Activities

Birgitte has accompanied Richard on numerous official overseas visits. Her first was in 1973, when they represented the Queen at the 70th birthday celebrations of King Olav V of Norway. She has also travelled abroad in support of her own patronages and military affiliations, including a visit to Iraq in December 2008. and at the coronation of King George Tupou V of Tonga on 1 August 2008 in Nukuʻalofa.

Birgitte is sponsor of two Royal Navy ships, and , and is royal patron of the Bermuda Regiment. She is patron of SeeAbility; The Lullaby Trust; and Music in Hospitals & Care. She regularly attends events at institutions of which she is president or patron, including St Paul's Cathedral School; the Friends of St Paul's Cathedral; the Cathedral Music Trust; St John's School, Leatherhead; Bridewell Royal Hospital (King Edward's School, Witley); the Royal Alexandra and Albert School; the Children's Society; Parkinson's UK; Hope for Youth Northern Ireland; Scottish Opera; Lawn Tennis Association; the Royal School of Needlework; Turn2us; Missing People; and Princess Helena College. After the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, she became president of the Royal Academy of Music. She is also patron of Prostate Cancer UK, and in March 2006, she opened the Prostate Centre.

Honours and arms

Honours CountryDateAppointmentRibbonPost-nominal

Honorary military appointments Australia Colonel-in-Chief, of the Royal Australian Army Educational Corps

New Zealand Colonel-in-Chief, of the Royal New Zealand Army Educational Corps Colonel-in-Chief, of the Adjutant General's Corps (2023–present; Deputy Colonel-in-Chief 1992–2023 ) Colonel-in-Chief, of the Royal Irish Rangers Deputy Colonel-in-Chief, of the Royal Army Medical Service (2024–present) Royal Colonel, of the 7th (V) Battalion The Rifles Lady Sponsor, of Honorary Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Drapers 2005: Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Fan Makers Honorary Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers year_adopted = 18 July 1973 coronet = Coronet of a grandchild of the sovereign. escutcheon = The Duke of Gloucester's arms and in the centre an escutcheon of pretence Azure a lapwing proper, on a chief Or two pairs of ostrich feathers in saltire Sable supporters = The Royal Supporters differenced with the like coronet and label. compartment = motto = orders = The Garter circlet;motto: Honi soit qui mal y pense (Shame be to him who thinks evil of it). other_elements = banner =Banner of her arms as Royal Lady Companion of the Garter depicted at St George's Chapel badge = symbolism =

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