Born in 1944, The Duke of Gloucester is the second son of the late Duke of Gloucester and the late Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester.

He is a grandson of George V and a first cousin to The Queen. He succeeded his father as Duke of Gloucester in June 1974. He became heir to the title Duke of Gloucester when his elder brother William died in 1972, and inherited the title on the death of his father in 1974.

He had intended a full time career in architecture and had joined a London practice, but after his brother's death he resigned his partnership to devote more time to royal duties and to the family estate, Barnwell, in Northamptonshire.

In July 1972 Prince Richard (as he was then known) married Birgitte Eva van Deurs from Odense, Denmark at St Andrew's Church, Barnwell, Northamptonshire.

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester have three children: (Alexander) Earl of Ulster, born in 1974; The Lady Davina Windsor, born in 1977; and The Lady Rose Windsor, born in 1980.

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester both carry out a large number of official engagements each year, individually and together. They undertake visits in regions throughout the United Kingdom and travel abroad on official visits and to support their varied patronages.