Few people spend their twenties training as an architect only to step into a life of full‑time royal duty, but that is exactly the path Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, took. Born in 1944 as a younger son of a younger son, he never expected to hold the title—yet after a family tragedy, he became the second Duke of Gloucester and one of the hardest‑working members of the Royal Family.
Current Duke: Prince Richard (born 26 August 1944) ·
Position in line of succession: 32nd ·
Title created: 1928 ·
Number of children: 3
Quick snapshot
- Prince Richard is the current Duke of Gloucester (The Royal Family, the official monarchy website).
- He is a first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II (The Royal Family).
- The heir to the title is Alexander Windsor, Earl of Ulster (Debretts, the definitive guide to the British peerage).
- Exact reason Prince Henry was never seriously considered for kingship.
- Future of the title if the male line fails.
- 1928: Dukedom created for Prince Henry (Britroyals, a British royal history site).
- 1944: Prince Richard born (The Royal Family).
- 1974: Prince Richard becomes Duke (Debretts).
- The title will pass to Alexander Windsor, Earl of Ulster, the current heir apparent (Debretts).
- Prince Richard continues full‑time royal engagements (The Royal Family).
Six key facts tell the story of the current Duke of Gloucester.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Prince Richard Alexander Walter George (The Royal Family) |
| Birth Date | 26 August 1944 (The Royal Family) |
| Spouse | Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester (The Royal Family) |
| Children | 3 – Alexander, Davina, Rose (Debretts) |
| Title Created | 1928 (Britroyals) |
| Current Duke Since | 1974 (Debretts) |
The Duke’s path from architecture student to working royal is a rare example of a non‑heir male cousin shouldering major public duties, a pattern that may become more important as the monarchy’s active roster shrinks.
How is the Queen related to the Duke of Gloucester?
First cousin to Queen Elizabeth II
- Prince Richard is a first cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II – both are grandchildren of King George V (The Royal Family).
- His father, Prince Henry, was the third son of George V and Queen Mary (The Royal Family).
- He is the highest person in the line of succession not descended from George VI (Debretts).
Relationship to King Charles III
- King Charles III and Prince Richard are first cousins once removed (Charles is the son of Queen Elizabeth II, Richard’s first cousin) (The Royal Family).
- The Duke attended the coronation of King Charles III in 2023 as a working royal.
The implication: The Duke of Gloucester is both a direct link to the generation of George V and a senior working cousin in the current reign.
Why is the Duke of Gloucester not king?
Line of succession and exclusion
- The Duke of Gloucester is not in the direct line of succession because he is a descendant of George V through a younger son (The Royal Family).
- The crown passes to the children and grandchildren of the sovereign before siblings and their descendants.
Prince Henry’s consideration for kingship
- Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, was considered as a possible regent but never seriously as monarch (Debretts).
- When King George VI died, the succession flowed smoothly to Elizabeth II, bypassing all uncles.
The catch: Even if the current Duke were the last living descendant of George V, the crown would still go to the heirs of the sovereign, not to a cousin.
Prince Richard is the most senior male descendant of Queen Victoria still in the line of succession (Britroyals), yet he will never be king because his branch sits one generation away from the direct line.
Is there still a Duke of Gloucester?
Current holder: Prince Richard
- Yes, the title is currently held by Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, born 26 August 1944 (The Royal Family).
- He became Duke upon the death of his father on 10 June 1974 (Debretts).
History of the Dukedom
- The dukedom of Gloucester was created in 1928 for Prince Henry, the third son of George V (Britroyals).
- It is the third creation of the title; the first two became extinct.
What this means: The current dukedom has only had two holders in nearly a century, giving it a stable lineage.
Who will inherit the Duke of Gloucester title?
Heir: Alexander Windsor, Earl of Ulster
- The heir apparent is Alexander Windsor, Earl of Ulster, born 1974, the Duke’s eldest son (Debretts).
- The title will pass to the nearest male heir under male‑preference primogeniture.
Succession rules
- If Alexander predeceases the Duke, the title would go to his son Xan Windsor (Debretts).
- If the male line fails, the title could become extinct or be re‑created.
The trade‑off: The dukedom is safe for at least one more generation, but the long‑term future of the title beyond that depends on male heirs.
Where does the Duke of Gloucester live now?
Kensington Palace apartments
- The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester reside in an apartment at Kensington Palace (The Royal Family).
- They previously owned Barnwell Manor in Northamptonshire, which was sold in 2020 (Debretts).
Official engagements
- The Duke carries out hundreds of official engagements each year in the UK and overseas (The Royal Family).
- His patronages span more than 100 charities, covering architecture, heritage, and military.
The pattern: Unlike many retired royals, Prince Richard remains a full‑time working member of the family, representing the monarchy at ceremonial and state events well into his late 70s.
With the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the new reign of King Charles III, the Duke of Gloucester’s role as a senior working cousin may become even more visible as the monarchy’s active corps adjusts to a smaller frontline team.
Clarity check: What we know and what remains uncertain
- Confirmed: Prince Richard is the current Duke of Gloucester (The Royal Family).
- Confirmed: He is a first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II (The Royal Family).
- Confirmed: The heir to the title is Alexander Windsor, Earl of Ulster (Debretts).
- Unclear: The exact reason Prince Henry was never seriously considered for kingship.
- Unclear: The future of the title if the male line fails.
Quotes: What the experts say
The Duke of Gloucester is a full‑time working member of the Royal Family.
The Royal Family (official monarchy website)
Walter George, KG, GCVO, the 2nd Duke of Gloucester, is a first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II.
Debretts (authoritative guide to the British peerage)
Summary
Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, is a unique figure in the modern monarchy: a trained architect who gave up his career after his brother’s death and went on to serve as a working royal for nearly five decades. His position as the most senior non‑descendant of George VI in the line of succession ensures that his family ties are both close and constitutionally distant. For readers trying to understand the British royal family’s extended network, the Duke of Gloucester is a living case study in how a “spare” can become a pillar of the institution. For the monarchy itself, the example of his steady, low‑key service suggests that working cousins will continue to fill a vital gap as the frontline narrows.
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For a deeper look into his early life and architectural career, see this comprehensive Duke of Gloucester biography.
Frequently asked questions
Which royal was called Princess Pushy?
Princess Pushy was a nickname used by the press for Princess Michael of Kent, not the Duchess of Gloucester.
Who was Prince William of Gloucester’s lover?
Prince William of Gloucester, the elder brother of the current Duke, had a relationship with the Hungarian model Zsuzsi Starkloff, but he never married.
What is the Duke of Gloucester’s relationship to King Charles III?
Prince Richard is King Charles III’s first cousin once removed (The Royal Family).
How many children does the Duke of Gloucester have?
The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester have three children: Alexander, Davina, and Rose (Debretts).
Does the Duke of Gloucester have a job?
He is a full‑time working royal, carrying out official engagements and supporting charities (The Royal Family).
Where does the Duke of Gloucester live?
The Duke and Duchess live at Kensington Palace (The Royal Family).
What is the Duke of Gloucester’s full name?
Prince Richard Alexander Walter George (The Royal Family).
Is the Duke of Gloucester a prince?
Yes, he is a prince of the United Kingdom, as the grandson of a sovereign (George V) (The Royal Family).
Freddie Clarke is Senior Reporter at WordPatch.co.uk, covering writing, language, publishing, books, digital culture and entertainment stories for UK audiences.