Royals nobody knows: Richard, Duke of Gloucester, could have been king

Royals that nobody knows
Richard, Duke of Gloucester, could have been king

He attends public appointments, is an important member of the British royal family and yet hardly anyone knows him: Richard, Duke of Gloucester, 79. The son of Henry, 1st Duke of Gloucester †74, was temporarily fifth in line to the throne and would have can even become king. He has held the title of Duke since 1974, previously he was Prince.

Richard, Duke of Gloucester moved to Australia as a baby

The British royal is the youngest son of Prince Henry and Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester, †102. His older brother William, Duke of Gloucester, †31, was born three years before him. Richard was fifth in line to the throne when he was born. When he was four months old, his family moved to Australia as his father was appointed as Governor General. In 1947 the family returned to England. Despite the royal title, Richard chose a civilian life and, after attending the famous Eton College, began studying architecture at Magdalene College, Cambridge University. After all, he had a big brother who could increasingly take care of royal duties.

A tragic accident changed everything

Just as he was about to start his professional life as an architect, a devastating accident occurred. His brother William died in a plane crash while competing in the Goodyear International Air Trophy. Two years later his father died, leaving Richard to inherit the title of Duke of Gloucester. This suddenly changed everything. The new title made him a member of the House of Lords, the upper house of the British Parliament, until the reforms in 1999. Through the births of direct descendants of Queen Elizabeth, †96, ultimately fell far back in line to the throne. As a full-time member of the British royal family, he still takes part in numerous public events, including outside Great Britain.

This is how he goes about his royal duties

Even though he is not one of the highest-ranking royals, the Duke of Gloucester attends many appointments. The official website of the royal family says of the royal: “The Duke of Gloucester carries out numerous public functions and makes hundreds of official appearances in the UK and overseas each year. The Duke is associated with over 150 charities and organizations. His patronages reflect his professional and personal interests, which include international humanitarian issues, cultural heritage and the built environment, and military veterans.”

Many of his patronages are related to architecture and monument protection. In 1972 he was elected a “corporate member of the Royal Institute of British Architects and is president of the Scottish Society of the Architect-Artists,” the website states. He also represented Queen Elizabeth when he attended the wedding of Crown Prince Birendra, †56, of Nepal in 1970.

His private happiness

The now 79-year-old met his wife Birgitte van Deurs, 77, while he was still at college. Their first meeting took place in the 1960s. While he was studying architecture, she devoted herself to languages. After graduating, she worked at the Danish embassy. The Duke quickly found his true love in Birgitte and therefore asked Queen Elizabeth for permission to ask for her hand in marriage. A decision that caused quite a stir at the time. After all, it was not common practice at that time for a royal to choose a commoner. The wedding took place on July 8, 1972, Richard and Birgitte walked down the aisle at St. Andrew’s Church in Barnwell, Northamptonshire.

A family with a certain magic

The couple has a total of three children, none of whom have official royal titles. Their son Alexander Windsor, 49, was born two years after the wedding. He currently holds the title of Earl of Ulster and is a former officer. He married his wife Claire Booth, 46, in 2002. Together they have children Xan, Baron Culloden, 17, and Lady Cosima Windsor, 13.

Daughter Lady Davina Windsor, 46, was born in 1977 and studied media studies. In 2004 she married Gary Lewis, with whom she has children Senna, 13, and Tane, 11. The couple divorced in 2018. “Lady” is considered a title of decency.

Richard and Birgitte’s second daughter was born in 1980. Lady Rose, 44, has been married to George Gilman since 2008, with whom she has children Lyla, 13, and Rufus, 11. Thanks to her, the royal family can look forward to a very special connection to “Harry Potter,” as the 44-year-old worked as an art assistant on “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” and “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.” She also worked on the British series “Little Britain”.

Sources used: royal.uk, hellomagazine.com

lhu
Gala