The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester in their Kensington Palace garden to mark their Golden wedding anniversary (Aaron Chown/PA)
The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester are celebrating their golden wedding anniversary, and have marked the occasion with a new portrait.
The pair - who have supported the monarch for decades by carrying out official royal duties - reached 50 years of marriage on Friday.
Richard and Birgitte, who wed on 8 July 1972, were photographed earlier this week in the garden of their Kensington Palace home.
The Duke, 77, can be seen with his arm around his wife’s shoulder, who is wearing a golden yellow shirt dress and gold chain necklaces, in order to celebrate their Golden Wedding anniversary.
Birgitte, 76, also wore a brooch designed by her husband and made of an entwined R and B.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
Who are the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester?
Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester is a paternal first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II.
He is the second son of Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester and Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester, and the youngest of the nine grandchildren of King George V and Queen Mary.
He was fifth in the line to the British throne at birth but has since moved down to 30th.
His wife Birgitte van Deurs became the Duchess of Gloucester upon their marriage in July 1972 and they have three children together.
A description of the Duke of Gloucester and his full-time working role on the Royal Family’s website reads: “The Duke of Gloucester is The Queen’s cousin and a full-time working member of the Royal Family.
“He attends national and international events in support of The Queen and her duties as Head of State, as well as undertaking extensive public duties and engagements every year reflecting his own interests and charities.
“The Duke of Gloucester carries out a significant number of public duties and undertakes hundreds of official engagements in the UK and overseas each year. The Duke is associated with over 150 charities and organisations.
“His patronages reflect his professional and personal interests, which include international humanitarian issues, heritage, and the built environment and military veterans.”
How are the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester related to the Queen?
The Duke of Gloucester is the second son of the late Duke of Gloucester and the late Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester, who was the third daughter of the 7th Duke of Buccleuch.
His Royal Highness is a grandson of George V and a first cousin to The Queen.
