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Prince Richard was the second son of the Duke of Gloucester, the third son of King George V. As his older brother died in a tragic plane crash, on the deah if hids father, Richard became Duke if Gloucester. He decided to give up his architecture career to persue duties as a memnber of the Vritish royal family. He is a cousin of Queen Elizabeth II. He married Birgitte van Deurs, the daughter of Asger Henriksen and Vivian van Deurs of Denmark and the couple hae three children.
Richard's father was Prince Henry, the third son of King George V, created Duke of Gloucester. His mother was Lady Alice Christabel Montagu-Douglas-Scott, the third daughter of the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry.
Prince Richard had an older brother Prince William of Gloucester (1941-1972). Prince William died in a tragic airplane crash without a heir. As a result, Richard became Duke of Gloucester.
The Duke was born during World War II at Barnwell Manor in Northamptonshire (1944). He was christened Richard Alexander Walter George Windsor. At the time his uncle George VI was king. Priness Elizabeth was a cousin. As an infant during World War II, Prince Richard and his brother accompanied their parents to Australia (1945). His faher had been appointed Governor General. They returned to England and lived in Barnwell Manor (1947).
Prince Richard attended Wellesley House, a preparatory school in Broadstairs. He then attended Eton. He entered Magdalene College, Cambridge (1963). He read (majored in) architecture. He was awarded a bachelor of arts (June 1966).
Prince Richard joined the Office Development Group of the Ministry of Public Buildings and Works. He worked there for a year to obrtain some practical experience in architecture. After a year, he went back to He then returned to Cambridge for 2 years more studies. He earned a Diploma in Architecture (1969). He persued some additional training. He then joined an architecture firm in London.
Military service was once expected of the male nembers of the Royal Family. This tradition as gradually declined. Prince Richard did not serve in the military,. As a member if the Royal Family, however, he holds several honorary
ppointments in the different services of the British military.
Prince Richard married Birgitte van Deurs, the daughter of Asger Henriksen and Vivian van Deurs of Denmark. The marriage took place at St. Andrew's Church, Barnwell, Northamptonshire (1972). The marriage received only minor press coverage. The British press fixed its attention on the fact that Prince Richard had to obtain permission from the Queen's for the marriage. This was a long established tradition in the Royal family and was actually enshrined in law--the 1772 Royal Marriages Act. While an anacronism by 1972, in early periods, a marriage in the Royal Family was of great practical importance. Opposition to the monarch often coalesed around his or her relatives.
The Duke and Duchess have three children, a son and two daughters: the Earl of Ulster, Lady Davina Windsor, and Lady Rose Windsor .
His first title was Baron Culloden. Richard's older brother William was heir to their father's dukedom, but was killed in a tragic airplane crash (1972). Richard's father the Duke of Gloucester died and Prince Richard succeeded to the title (1974). Richard's titles became: His Royal Highness Prince Richard Alexander Walter George, KG, GCVO, GCStJ, Duke of Gloucester, Earl of Ulster. After becoming Duke, Richard succeeded to his father position as the Grand Prior of the Venerable Order of St. John of Jerusalem ( 1974). He had previously received the Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO) in the Queen's New Years' Honours (1974). Queen Elizabeth invested the Duke as a Knight of the Order of the Garter (KG) (1997).
King Olav V, related to the British Royal Family, awarded the Duke the Grand Cross of the Order of St. Olav from of Norway (1973). King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden
awarded the Duke the Grand Cross of the Order of the Northern Star (1974).
The tragic death of his brother William had a significabnt impact on Prince Richard's life. He decided to give up his architectural career and became a full-time royal. He devoted his energies to his Royal Fmily responsibilities and running the 2,500 acre Barnwell estate. The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester actively persue their duties as members of the Toyal Family. They make many public appearances. Fiven his bavkground, the Duke has contunued to persue his interest in architecture as well as a concern with conservation. He is a corporate member of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). The Duke was elected president of the Soviet of Architect-Artists; and serves as a commissioner of the Historic Building and Monuments Commission for England (English Heritage).
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