Today marks a significant milestone in royal history as Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester, joins the prestigious Order of the Garter. King Charles has appointed her as a Royal Lady Companion, making her the first married-in member of the royal family, who isn’t married to the monarch or the heir to the throne, to receive this honor. This is a notable achievement for the Duchess, who has often stayed out of the limelight.
Birgitte Eva van Deurs Henriksen was born in June 1946 in Denmark. She is the daughter of Asger Preben Wissing Henriksen and Vivian van Deurs. After her parents separated, she adopted her mother’s surname, van Deurs. Birgitte’s journey to royalty began when she met Prince Richard of Gloucester in 1966 at Cambridge. She was studying languages, while he was pursuing a degree in architecture. Their engagement was announced in February 1972, with the blessing of Queen Elizabeth. They married in July 1972 at St. Andrew’s Parish Church in Barnwell, Northamptonshire.
Just six weeks after their wedding, Prince Richard’s older brother, Prince William of Gloucester, tragically died in a flying accident. This unexpected event placed Richard in line to inherit his father’s Dukedom. When Prince Henry, Richard’s father, passed away in 1974, Birgitte became the Duchess of Gloucester.
The Duchess is deeply committed to charity work. She once remarked that charity work is a proud British tradition, and she finds fulfillment in contributing as a volunteer. Birgitte is a patron of over 60 organizations, including the Lawn Tennis Association, the Friends of St Paul’s Cathedral, Hope for Youth Northern Ireland, and Scottish Opera.
Birgitte and Prince Richard have three children: Alexander Windsor, the Earl of Ulster; Lady Davina Windsor; and Lady Rose Windsor. They also have six grandchildren. Despite their royal lineage, their children and grandchildren are not working members of the royal family. However, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester regularly attend major royal events.
King Charles has continued the tradition of appointing new members to the Order of the Garter on April 23, the feast day of England’s patron saint, St. George. Alongside other notable appointments, the monarch honored the Duchess of Gloucester as a Royal Lady Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. This decision was unexpected, as it marks the first time a non-blood royal, who isn’t married to the monarch or the heir, has been appointed to this position. This could pave the way for other royal spouses, such as Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, to join the order in the future.
The 77-year-old Duchess of Gloucester is a full-time working member of the royal family. She supports over 60 organizations across various fields, including the arts, military, sports, health, welfare, and education. She is a familiar face at royal events like Trooping the Colour and was part of the group photo of working royals after King Charles and Queen Camilla’s coronation in May 2023.
The Duchess has attended the annual Garter Day at Windsor Castle many times before, as her husband has been a member since 1997. However, this year, she will don the velvet robe and hat, complete with white ostrich and black heron feathers, signifying her new status as a member.
The Order of the Garter, established by King Edward III in the 1300s, was inspired by the tales of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. At the annual service, the monarch formally invests new Companions with the Order’s insignia in the Throne Room of Windsor Castle. The members and officers then attend a lunch hosted by the sovereign and process on foot to a service in St. George’s Chapel, where new Companions are installed.
Other current members of the royal family in the Order of the Garter include Queen Camilla, Prince Edward, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, the Duke of Kent, Princess Alexandra, and Prince William.
Prince William received his Order of the Garter knighthood in 2008, with his then-girlfriend, Kate Middleton, attending his first service as a member. Her presence was significant, indicating her acceptance into the royal family. Although the Princess of Wales is not a member of the Order of the Garter, she continues to support her husband at the event.
King Charles and Queen Camilla also received new appointments on April 23. Prince William became the Great Master of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, while Queen Camilla was appointed the Grand Master and First or Principal Dame Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. The Princess of Wales was given a new position as the first-ever Royal Companion of the Order of the Companions of Honour, an order founded in 1917 by King George V to recognize achievements in the arts, sciences, medicine, and public service. Members are limited to 65 at a time and include notable figures like Elton John, David Attenborough, Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, and Anna Wintour.
Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester, is making history today, and her appointment to the Order of the Garter is a testament to her dedication and service to the royal family and the nation.
