Buckingham Palace today released a series of new photos of the Duchess of Gloucester to mark her 80th birthday.
The duchess reaches her eighth decade on Saturday, June 20.
The images of the Duchess were taken this month, in the Yellow Drawing Room and the gardens of Buckingham Palace.
Born Birgitte Eva van Deurs Henriksen in 1946, the Danish-born royal grew up in Odense.
Her journey from Scandinavian high society to Kensington Palace reads like something from a storybook.
She remains among the firm’s most committed working royals, preferring to let her tireless efforts speak for themselves rather than seeking the spotlight.
Her partnership with the Duke of Gloucester began at Cambridge in 1966, where Prince Richard was pursuing architecture while Birgitte undertook a language course.
Buckingham Palace today released a series of new photos of the Duchess of Gloucester to mark her 80th birthday
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GETTY
The images of the Duchess were taken this month, in the Yellow Drawing Room and the gardens of Buckingham Palace
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GETTY
The duchess reaches her eighth decade on Saturday, June 20
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GETTY
The wedding took place on July 8, 1973, at St Andrew’s Church in Barnwell, Northamptonshire, with the bride wearing a Swiss organdie gown crafted by Norman Hartnell.
But tragedy struck just six weeks later when Prince William, Richard’s elder brother and intended heir to the Dukedom, died in an aircraft accident.
Prince Richard unexpectedly inherited his father’s title the following year, meaning Birgitte became the Duchess of Gloucester.
The duchess made a striking appearance at this year’s Trooping the Colour, travelling down the Mall in an open-top carriage alongside her husband.
The duchess made a striking appearance at this year’s Trooping the Colour
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GETTY
The couple followed behind the Duchess of Edinburgh and Sir Timothy Laurence during the grand military parade.
Her presence at such occasions reflects the approach shared by other senior royals of her generation, such as Prince Edward, Duke of Kent.
She recently travelled to Bermuda in her capacity as Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Bermuda Regiment.
The visit marked the regiment’s 60th anniversary, demonstrating her continued commitment to military patronages.
Such overseas engagements are nothing new for Her Royal Highness, who has represented the Crown across the globe throughout her royal career.
Her charitable endeavours span an impressive range of causes, from serving as honorary president of the Lawn Tennis Association to supporting the National Asthma Campaign and the Children’s Society.
She has also followed Princess Diana as patron of the Royal Academy of Music.
“Charity work in Great Britain is a tradition,” the duchess previously remarked. “I don’t think I have a friend who has not involved him or herself somehow or other.”
The Duke and Duchess raised three children and now enjoy six grandchildren.