Birgitte (Henriksen) Windsor GCVO DStJ

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Biography

Birgitte (Henriksen) Windsor GCVO DStJ is a member of the House of Windsor.

Birgitte (Henriksen) Windsor GCVO DStJ is Notable.

Birgitte was born on 20 June 1946 in Odense, Denmark. Her parents are Asger Preben Wissing Henriksen (a lawyer) and his wife, Vivian van Deurs. Her parents separated, so Birgitte took her mother's name 'van Deurs' as her surname.

Richard and Birgitte, Duke and Duchess of Gloucester

On 8 July 1972, Birgitte married Prince Richard of Gloucester, the second son of Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, and Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester. He is the youngest grandchild of King George V and Queen Mary, and 31st in line to the British throne. The wedding took place in Barnwell, Northamptonshire, England, and the couple have three children. Birgitte now became known as 'Princess Richard of Gloucester'. ^[1]

Upon the death of Prince Henry, Prince Richard became the Duke of Gloucester, and Birgitte the Duchess.

Royal Victorian Order Star

In 1975, Birgitte became a Dame of Justice of The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem (DStJ).^[2] This British order of chivalry goes back to the Knights Hospitaller of the Middle Ages.

In 1989, Birgitte became a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO), which acknowledges personal service to the British monarch. Birgitte has represented Her late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II in overseas events.

Birgitte is the Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Army Dental Corps and the Adjutant General's Corps. She is the Royal Colonel of the 7th (V) Battalion 'The Rifles'. She is also the Lady Sponsor of HMS Gloucester and HMS Sandown.

Birgitte travels overseas in support of her husband's royal duties, and is the patron of SeeAbility, The Lullaby Trust, and Music in Hospitals & Care. She is also the patron of many schools and children's charities. She became President of the Royal Academy of Music after the death of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997.

The official residence of the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester is Kensington Palace.

Sources

1. ↑ Marriage Registration: "England & Wales Marriage Index"
   FreeBMD Entry Information (accessed 9 December 2023)
   Van deurs, Birgitte E.
   GRO Reference: 1972 Jul-Aug-Sep in Oundle Volume 3B Page 2404.
2. ↑ DStJ: London Gazette

See Also:

• Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester on Wikipedia
• Duchess of Gloucester on royal.uk