The title “Duke of Gloucester” has been kicking around the British royal family for centuries, handed out like a family heirloom to younger sons who needed something to do. These days, it belongs to Prince Richard, a chap who’s spent over 50 years quietly plugging away at royal duties, supporting his cousin King Charles III, and championing causes like architecture and conservation. He’s not one for the limelight—more the type to roll up his sleeves and get on with it. So, let’s dig into the history of this title, get to know Prince Richard, and see what makes him tick.
The Title’s Tale: A Quick Romp Through History
The Duke of Gloucester gig has popped up five times in British history, each one tied to a different royal with a story to tell. It’s a bit like a revolving door of dukes—some heroic, some tragic, all fascinating. Here’s the rundown.
Thomas of Woodstock: The Feisty First (1385)
Kicking things off in 1385 was Thomas of Woodstock, the youngest son of Edward III. He was a tough nut—think medieval action hero—leading troops in the Hundred Years’ War. But he got too big for his boots, clashing with his nephew, Richard II. Arrested for treason, he met a grim end in 1397, probably murdered on the king’s say-so. His title? Snatched back by the Crown. A rough start, but it set the tone.
Humphrey of Lancaster: The Bookish Duke (1414)
Next up, in 1414, was Humphrey of Lancaster, fourth son of Henry IV. This guy was more brains than brawn—a proper Renaissance man before it was cool. He collected books like they were going out of style and gave heaps of them to Oxford University, helping start the famous Bodleian Library. But he wasn’t above a scrap; he got tangled in the Wars of the Roses and died in 1447 with no kids to pass the title to. Another one bites the dust.
Richard, the Future King (1461)
Fast forward to 1461, and we’ve got Richard, brother of Edward IV and later King Richard III. For more on his life and legacy, explore the Richard III Society. He was a loyal soldier for his brother during the Wars of the Roses, earning the Gloucester title as a reward. Then, in 1483, he nabbed the throne, and the title got swallowed up by the Crown. His two-year reign’s still a hot topic—hero or villain? Depends who you ask.
Henry Stuart: The Short-Lived Duke (1659)
In 1659, after the mess of the English Civil War, Charles I’s third son, Henry Stuart, got the title. Poor kid didn’t have much time to enjoy it—smallpox took him out in 1660 at just 20. The dukedom fizzled out again, a brief blip in a stormy time.
Prince Henry and Prince Richard: The Modern Era (1928–Now)
The title got a fresh lease on life in 1928 when George V gave it to his third son, Prince Henry. He was a soldier through and through, serving in both World Wars, and later did a stint as Governor-General of Australia from 1945 to 1947. When he passed away in 1974, his younger son, Prince Richard, stepped up. Richard’s the current Duke, and he’s made the role his own—less about war, more about heritage and helping out.
Here’s a handy table to keep it all straight:
| Creation | Year | Duke | Tied to the Monarch | Big Moments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1385 | Thomas of Woodstock | Youngest son of Edward III | War hero; bumped off in 1397 |
| 2nd | 1414 | Humphrey of Lancaster | Fourth son of Henry IV | Book lover; title died out in 1447 |
| 3rd | 1461 | Richard (later Richard III) | Brother of Edward IV | Wars of the Roses star; became king in 1483 |
| 4th | 1659 | Henry Stuart | Third son of Charles I | Gone too soon in 1660 |
| 5th | 1928 | Prince Henry | Third son of George V | Aussie governor; passed it to Richard in 1974 |
It’s a mixed bag of soldiers, scholars, and one king—proof the title’s always been a bit of a wildcard.
Meet Prince Richard: The Man Behind the Dukedom
Prince Richard came into the world on 26 August 1944, right as World War II was winding down. Born at Hadley Common in Hertfordshire, he was the second son of Prince Henry and Princess Alice. His dad was off fighting, and his mum was pitching in with the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force. They settled at Barnwell Manor in Northamptonshire, a sprawling place that sparked Richard’s love for old buildings and open spaces.
School Days and Sketchbooks
Richard went to Eton, where he was a bit of an all-rounder—good at lessons, handy with a cricket bat, and ace on the tennis court. Then it was off to Cambridge’s Magdalene College to study architecture. He didn’t just dabble; he threw himself into it, graduating in 1966 and landing a job at Hunt Thompson Associates. He worked on real projects—like a new bit for the Royal College of Art—and loved every minute. “Buildings are like puzzles,” he said in a Telegraph chat years later. “You figure out how they work, and they tell you a story.”
But life had other plans. In 1972, his big brother, Prince William, died in a plane crash—a real gut-punch. Suddenly, Richard was next in line for the dukedom. When his dad passed in 1974, he took on the title and swapped blueprints for royal duties.
What Makes Him Tick
Even with all the royal hoopla, Richard’s kept his hobbies close. He’s mad about photography—always snapping pics of castles or countryside—and he’s got a soft spot for old steam trains. He even started an award in 1984 to celebrate folks keeping those chugging relics alive. At Barnwell, he’s been known to muck in with repairs on the castle ruins. “It’s not just about looking back,” he told some volunteers once. “It’s about handing something good to the next lot.”
The Gloucester Family: Love, Kids, and Kensington
Richard met Birgitte van Deurs at Cambridge—a Danish lass with a no-nonsense vibe. They hit it off, and on 8 July 1972, they tied the knot at St Andrew’s Church in Barnwell. It was low-key, just how they liked it. Birgitte, who’d been a secretary before, brought a bit of real-world grit to the royals. “We stick together,” she told The Telegraph in 2019. “Through the ups and downs, he’s my rock.”
They’ve got three kids:
- Alexander Windsor, Earl of Ulster (born 1974): He’s a businessman, married to Dr. Claire Booth, with two kids—Xan (2007) and Lady Cosima (2010).
- Lady Davina Windsor (born 1977): She’s in marketing, was married to Gary Lewis (split in 2018), and has two—Senna (2010) and Tāne (2012).
- Lady Rose Gilman (born 1980): An art buff, married to George Gilman, with Lyla (2010) and Rufus (2012).
The gang lives at Kensington Palace, where they’ve raised their brood and now dote on six grandkids. The kids have carved their own paths—none of that living-off-the-title nonsense—which says a lot about how Richard and Birgitte brought them up.
A Peek at the Family Tree
Here’s how Richard fits into the royal puzzle:
King George V
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+---------------+---------------+
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Queen Elizabeth II Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester
| |
+-------+-------+ +-------+-------+
| | | |
Prince Charles Princess Anne Prince William Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester
(King Charles III) (d. 1972) |
|
+-----------+-----------+
| | |
Earl of Ulster Lady Davina Lady RoseHe’s a first cousin to the late Queen Elizabeth II, thanks to their granddad, George V. That’s kept him tight with the family, especially Charles.
Giving Back: Charity and Chat
Richard’s got his fingers in over 150 charity pies—everything from architecture to veterans. Some big ones are the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), where he supports architectural innovation and education, the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, and the Royal British Legion. He’s not just a name on the letterhead either—he shows up, shakes hands, and listens.
Take his steam train award: in 1984, he launched the Duke of Gloucester’s Award for Steam Preservation, celebrating efforts to maintain steam locomotives. Learn more about the award on the Heritage Railway Association’s website. He’s been spotted at restoration sheds, chatting with greasy-handed enthusiasts. “You lot are wizards,” he told them once. “Better than I ever was with a pencil!” He’s also big on kids’ charities—during a 2018 visit for the Children’s Society, he said, “It’s about being there, hearing what people need.”
The Royal Grind: Duty Done Right
At 80, Richard’s still at it, stepping in for King Charles III at events like Trooping the Colour or jetting off to places like Malawi. He and Charles go way back—think childhood games and shared family losses. You could see it at Prince Philip’s funeral in 2021, the two of them side by side, steady as ever.
He’s got a knack for breaking the ice. At a museum once, he turned to some kids and said, “This modern art’s a mystery to me—help me out!” People call him a “safe pair of hands”—no drama, just dependability. “It’s not about the glitz,” he told The Guardian in 2020. “It’s about showing up.”
The Long Game: What He’ll Leave Behind
Richard hit 80 in 2024, and what a run it’s been. He’s not flashy, but his work in architecture, conservation, and charity’s made a dent. He’s all about keeping the past alive—once told RIBA, “Buildings are our history books. We’ve got to keep the pages intact.”
Supporting Charles and the monarchy through thick and thin, he’s been the quiet glue in the royal machine. No fuss, no fanfare—just a bloke doing his bit, and doing it well.
