View source for Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester

{{Short description|Member of the British royal family (born 1946)}}
{{EngvarB|date=April 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2025}}
{{Infobox royalty
| name         = Birgitte
| title        = [[Duchess of Gloucester]] ([[#Honours and arms|more]])
| image        = File:Windsor Castle State Banquet 2025-09-17-15-10-36 (cropped, Birgitte detail).jpg
| caption      = Birgitte in 2025
| alt          = The Duchess of Gloucester in her late sixties
| birth_name   = Birgitte Eva van Deurs Henriksen
| birth_date   = {{Birth date and age|1946|06|20|df=yes}}
| birth_place  = [[Odense]], Denmark
| spouse       = {{marriage|[[Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester]]|8 July 1972}}
| issue        = {{plain list|
* [[Alexander Windsor, Earl of Ulster]]
* [[Lady Davina Windsor]]
* [[Lady Rose Gilman]]}}
| house        = [[House of Windsor|Windsor]] (by marriage)
| father       = Asger Henriksen
| mother       = Vivian van Deurs
}}

{{British Royal Family}}

'''Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester''' (born '''Birgitte Eva van Deurs Henriksen'''; 20 June 1946) is a Danish-born member of the [[British royal family]]. She is married to [[Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester]], a grandson of [[George V|King George V]].

==Early life and education==
Birgitte Eva van Deurs Henriksen was born on 20 June 1946 in [[Odense]], Denmark, the younger daughter of lawyer Asger Preben Wissing Henriksen and his wife, Vivian van Deurs. She was educated in Odense and at [[finishing school]]s in [[Lausanne]] and [[Cambridge]].<ref name=royal>{{cite web|title=The Duchess of Gloucester|url=https://www.royal.uk/the-duchess-of-gloucester |publisher=The Royal Family |access-date=24 October 2017|date=13 November 2015 }}</ref> She took her mother's ancestral name van Deurs on 15 January 1966, after her parents' separation.<ref name=surname>Name change is mentioned in parish register of Th. Kingo, Odense (Regional Archive, Odense)-</ref>{{better citation needed|date=March 2025}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hughes |first=Janet |date=28 January 2023 |title=The accidental Duchess of Gloucester who married royal 'spare' |url=https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/celebs-tv/who-accidental-duchess-gloucester-unsung-8081853 |access-date=18 August 2024 |website=Gloucestershire Live |language=en}}</ref> After completing a three-year course in [[Economics|Commercial and Economic Studies]] in [[Copenhagen]], she moved back to the [[United Kingdom]] in 1971 to work as a secretary at the [[Embassy of Denmark, London|Royal Danish Embassy]] in London.<ref name=royal/>

==Marriage and family==
[[File:Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.jpg|thumb|263px|The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester]]
Van Deurs Henriksen first met [[Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester|Prince Richard of Gloucester]], the younger son of [[Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester]], and [[Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester]], in the late 1960s in Cambridge, while she was attending [[finishing school]], and he was taking undergraduate courses in architecture.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Panton |first=Kenneth J. |url=https://doi.org/10.5771/9781538175774 |title=Historical Dictionary of the British Monarchy |date=2023 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield Publishers |isbn=978-1-5381-7577-4 |pages=73}}</ref> In February 1972, their engagement was announced.<ref name="royal" /> They married on 8 July 1972 at St Andrew's Church, [[Barnwell, Northamptonshire]].<ref name="royal" /> The bride's wedding dress was designed by [[Norman Hartnell]]. It was constructed of [[Switzerland|Swiss]] [[organdie]], with a high collar, a simple skirt, long sleeves and a small train. Instead of wearing a tiara, she wore [[stephanotis]] flowers on her hair which secured the veil.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.harpersbazaar.com.sg/life/celebrities/gorgeous-royal-wedding-tiara-moments-ever/?slide=18|title=The 22 Most Gorgeous Royal Wedding Tiara Moments of All Time (slide 18)|publisher=Harper's Bazaar Singapore|date=28 March 2018|access-date=15 May 2018}}</ref> Upon marriage, she assumed the style ''Her Royal Highness Princess Richard of Gloucester''.<ref name="royal" />

Six weeks after their wedding, Richard's elder brother, [[Prince William of Gloucester]], was killed in a flying accident. Richard unexpectedly became [[heir apparent]] to the [[duke]]dom and upon his father's death in 1974, the couple became the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.<ref name=royal/>

The couple have three children: [[Alexander Windsor, Earl of Ulster|Alexander]] (born 1974), [[Lady Davina Windsor|Davina]] (born 1977), and [[Lady Rose Gilman|Rose]] (born 1980). They were born at [[St Mary's Hospital, London]].<ref name=royal/> The Duke and Duchess officially reside at [[Kensington Palace]].<ref name="standardmeetprinceharryand">{{cite news|last1=Hampson|first1=Laura|title=Meet Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's new neighbours - the royals who live in Kensington Palace|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/london-life/who-lives-in-kensington-palace-houses-a3713141.html|access-date=12 December 2017|work=London Evening Standard|date=8 December 2017}}</ref>

==Activities==
[[File:The Duchess of Gloucester, Brisbane, March 1979.jpg|thumb|263px|The Duchess in [[Brisbane]], 1979]]
The Duchess of Gloucester has accompanied the Duke of Gloucester on his official visits overseas: her first visit was in 1973, when they represented the [[Elizabeth II|Queen]] at the 70th birthday celebrations of King [[Olav V of Norway]].<ref name=PublicRole/> Other joint visits have included [[Australia]], [[Belgium]], [[China]], [[Denmark]], [[Gibraltar]], [[Hong Kong]], [[Israel]], [[Japan]], [[Luxembourg]], [[Kingdom of Nepal|Nepal]], [[New Zealand]], [[Norway]], the [[Philippines]], [[Portugal]], [[Saudi Arabia]], [[Singapore]], [[Solomon Islands]], [[South Africa]], [[Spain]], [[Sweden]], [[Tonga]], [[Tunisia]] and the [[United States]].<ref name=PublicRole>{{cite web|url=http://www.royal.gov.uk/ThecurrentRoyalFamily/TheDuchessofGloucester/Publicrole.aspx |title=The Duchess of Gloucester – Public role |publisher=Official website of the Royal Family |access-date=11 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120920215216/http://www.royal.gov.uk/ThecurrentRoyalFamily/TheDuchessofGloucester/Publicrole.aspx |archive-date=20 September 2012 }}</ref> Birgitte has also travelled overseas in support of her own patronages and military units, including a visit to [[Iraq]] in December 2008.<ref name=PublicRole/>

She and her husband represented the Queen and the [[Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh|Duke of Edinburgh]] at the state funeral of [[Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV|King Tāufa{{okina}}āhau Tupou IV of Tonga]] on 19 September 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/tonga-mourns-kings-death/2/|title=Tonga Mourns King's Death|work=CBS News|date=12 September 2006 |access-date=25 May 2018}}</ref> They also represented the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at the coronation of [[George Tupou V|King George Tupou V of Tonga]] on 1 August 2008 in [[Nukuʻalofa]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/royalty-obituaries/9151791/His-Majesty-King-George-Tupou-V-of-Tonga.html|title=His Majesty King George Tupou V of Tonga|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=18 March 2012|access-date=25 May 2018}}</ref>
[[File:Coronation of Charles III and Camilla - Coronation Procession (68).jpg|thumb|right|263px|The Duke and Duchess riding in the [[Scottish State Coach]] with Vice Admiral [[Sir Timothy Laurence]] following the [[Coronation of Charles III and Camilla|coronation]] on 6 May 2023]]

Birgitte is [[Ceremonial ship launching#United Kingdom|sponsor]] of two [[Royal Navy]] ships: {{HMS|Gloucester|D96|6}} and {{HMS|Sandown|M101|6}}. She is also the royal patron of the Bermuda Regiment. She is patron of [[SeeAbility]], a charity for people with learning disabilities and sight loss; [[The Lullaby Trust]], a baby charity aiming to prevent unexpected deaths in infancy and promote infant health; and Music in Hospitals & Care.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mihc.org.uk/about/our-people/|title=Meet MiHC Office Staff and Patrons across the UK|date=27 July 2017|publisher=Music in Hospitals & Care|access-date=5 May 2018}}</ref> She regularly attends functions at schools of which she is president or patron: [[St Paul's Cathedral School]]; the Friends of St Paul's Cathedral;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stpauls.co.uk/news-press/latest-news/a-royal-celebration-of-st-pauls-friends-and-benefactors|title=A Royal Celebration of St Paul's Friends and Benefactors|publisher=St Paul's Cathedral|date=13 July 2016|access-date=25 May 2018}}</ref> the Cathedral Music Trust;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cathedralmusictrust.org.uk/CMT/News/Articles/HRH-The-Duchess-of-Gloucester-becomes-Royal-Patron.aspx|title=HRH The Duchess of Gloucester becomes Royal Patron for Cathedral Music Trust|work=Cathedral Music Trust|date=24 January 2022|accessdate=24 January 2022}}</ref> [[St John's School, Leatherhead]];<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stjohnsleatherhead.co.uk/View-News-Plustweets.aspx?id=195|title=Royal Visit|publisher=St John's School, Leatherhead|date=5 March 2014|access-date=25 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180526112819/https://www.stjohnsleatherhead.co.uk/View-News-Plustweets.aspx?id=195|archive-date=26 May 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> Bridewell Royal Hospital ([[King Edward's School, Witley]]); the [[Royal Alexandra and Albert School]];<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gattonfoundation.org.uk/royal-heritage.asp|title=Our Royal Heritage|publisher=Royal Alexandra and Albert School|access-date=25 May 2018}}</ref> [[the Children's Society]];<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/news-and-blogs/press-releases/hrh-the-duchess-of-gloucester-gcvo-visits-the-children%E2%80%99s-society-in|title=HRH The Duchess of Gloucester visits The Children's Society in Manchester|publisher=The Children's Society|date=1 October 2015|access-date=25 May 2018|archive-date=27 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727000430/https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/news-and-blogs/press-releases/hrh-the-duchess-of-gloucester-gcvo-visits-the-children%E2%80%99s-society-in|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Parkinson's UK]];<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/about-us/duchess-gloucester-patron|title=The Duchess of Gloucester, Patron|publisher=Parkinson's UK|access-date=25 May 2018}}</ref> Hope for Youth Northern Ireland;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/hrh-the-duchess-of-gloucester-attends-hope-for-youth-northern-ireland-gala-dinner-at-belfast-city-hall|title=HRH The Duchess of Gloucester attends 'Hope for Youth Northern Ireland' gala dinner at Belfast City Hall|publisher=GOV.UK|date=21 March 2012|access-date=25 May 2018}}</ref> [[Scottish Opera]];<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scottishopera.org.uk/about-us/the-board-of-scottish-opera/|title=The Board of Scottish Opera|access-date=25 May 2018}}</ref> [[Lawn Tennis Association]];<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lta.org.uk/news/general-news/2016/december/lta-pays-tribute-to-her-majesty-the-queen/#|title=Lawn Tennis Association pays tribute to Her Majesty The Queen|publisher=Lawn Tennis Association|date=20 December 2016|access-date=25 May 2018}}</ref> the [[Royal School of Needlework]];<ref>{{cite web|url=https://royal-needlework.org.uk/|title=Royal School of Needlework|access-date=11 June 2019}}</ref> [[Turn2us]];<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.turn2us.org.uk/About-Us/Media-Centre/Annual-Reports/Thank-you|title=Thank you|work=Turn2us|accessdate=22 July 2022}}</ref> [[Missing People]];<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.missingpeople.org.uk/about-the-charity/who-we-are/our-patrons-and-ambassadors|title=Our Patrons and Ambassadors|date=3 November 2020 |publisher=Missing People|accessdate=7 December 2022}}</ref> and [[Princess Helena College]]. After the death of [[Diana, Princess of Wales]], Birgitte became president of the [[Royal Academy of Music]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ram.ac.uk/about-us/about-the-academy/management/governing-body|title=About us - Governing Body|publisher=Royal Academy of Music|access-date=15 December 2019|archive-date=10 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410204049/https://www.ram.ac.uk/about-us/about-the-academy/management/governing-body|url-status=dead}}</ref> She is also the patron of [[Prostate Cancer UK]],<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/prostate-research-receives-royal-attention-155545315.html | title=Prostate Research receives royal attention | agency=PR Newswire| date=4 March 2003|access-date=26 May 2015}}</ref> and in March 2006, she opened the Prostate Centre.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.theprostatecentre.com/about-the-prostate-centre/ | title=About The Prostate Centre | work=The Prostate Centre| access-date=26 May 2015}}</ref>

==Honours and arms==
{{see also|List of honours of the British royal family by country}}
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
!Country
!Date
!Appointment
!Ribbon
!Post-nominal
letters
!Other
|-
! rowspan="11" |{{Flagu|United Kingdom}}
|1973
|Recipient of the [[Royal Family Order of Elizabeth II]]
|[[File:UK Royal Family Order of Queen Elizabeth II ribbon.svg|48x48px]]
|
|<ref name="official">{{cite web |title=The Duchess of Gloucester: Honours |url=http://www.royal.gov.uk/ThecurrentRoyalFamily/TheDuchessofGloucester/Honours.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131011021918/http://www.royal.gov.uk/ThecurrentRoyalFamily/TheDuchessofGloucester/Honours.aspx |archive-date=11 October 2013 |access-date=1 January 2014 |publisher=Royal Household}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2" |1975
|[[Venerable Order of Saint John|Dame of Justice of the Order of St John]]
|[[File:Order of St John (UK) ribbon -vector.svg|45x45px]]
|DCStJ
|<ref>{{London Gazette
| issue = 46574
| date = 16 May 1975
| page = 6404
}}</ref>
|-
|Recipient of the [[Service Medal of the Order of St John]]
|[[File:Service Medal of the Order of St John Ribbon.svg|45x45px]]
|
|<ref name="tat">[https://i.pinimg.com/originals/63/4a/c9/634ac916de4f7767735f8b59b1e58e0b.jpg Image] pinimg.com</ref>
|-
|1977
|Recipient of the [[Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal]]
|[[File:UK Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal ribbon.svg|45x45px]]
|
|<ref name="tat" />
|-
|1978
|Recipient of the [[Solomon Islands Independence Medal]]
|[[File:Solomon islands indendence medal.png|45x45px]]
|
|<ref name="tat" />
|-
|1989
|[[Royal Victorian Order|Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order]]
|[[File:Royal Victorian Order UK ribbon.png|45x45px]]
|GCVO
|<ref name="official" />
|-
|2002
|Recipient of the [[Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal]]
|[[File:UK Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal ribbon.svg|45x45px]]
|
|<ref name="tat" />
|-
|2012
|Recipient of the [[Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal]]
|[[File:QEII Diamond Jubilee Medal ribbon.svg|45x45px]]
|
|<ref name="official" />
|-
|2022
|Recipient of the [[Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal]]
|[[File:UK Queen EII Platinum Jubilee Medal ribbon.svg|45x45px]]
|
|<ref>{{cite web |last=Longstaff |first=Emma |date=27 April 2023 |title=What medals are the royal family wearing? |url=https://www.homesandantiques.com/antiques/royal-family-medals |access-date=19 January 2024 |work=Homes & Antiques}}</ref>{{not in citation given|date=December 2024}}
|-
|2024
|[[Order of the Garter|Royal Lady Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter]]
|[[File:Order of the Garter UK ribbon.svg|45x45px]]
|LG
|<ref>{{cite news |last=Milss |first=Rhiannon |date=23 April 2024 |title=King recognises Queen and Prince William in honours list and creates new role for Kate, Princess of Wales |url=https://news.sky.com/story/king-recognises-queen-and-prince-william-in-honours-list-and-creates-new-role-for-kate-princess-of-wales-13121607 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423152048/https://news.sky.com/story/king-recognises-queen-and-prince-william-in-honours-list-and-creates-new-role-for-kate-princess-of-wales-13121607 |archive-date=23 April 2024 |access-date=23 April 2024 |work=Sky News}}</ref>
|-
|2024
|Recipient of the [[Royal Family Order of Charles III]]
|[[File:Royal Family Order of King Charles III ribbon bar.svg|45x45px]]
|
|<ref>{{Cite tweet |author=Rodrigo |user=The_QVDS |number=1864071249464373493 |title= The Duchess of Gloucester has received Royal Family Order of King Charles III.}}
</ref>
|-
!{{Flagu|Tonga}}
|1 August 2008
|Grand Cross of the [[Order of the Crown of Tonga|Royal Order of the Crown of Tonga]]
|[[File:TON Order of the Crown of Tonga ribbon.svg|45x45px]]
|
|<ref>{{cite web |date=1 August 2008 |title=Royal orders presented at Palace |url=https://matangitonga.to/2008/08/01/royal-orders-presented-palace |access-date=26 May 2018 |publisher=Matangi Tonga Online}}</ref>
|-
!{{Flagu|Mexico}}
|3 March 2015
|Sash of the [[Order of the Aztec Eagle|Mexican Order of the Aztec Eagle]]
|[[File:MEX Orden del Aguila Azteca 2011 Collar BAR.svg|45x45px]]
|
|<ref>{{cite web |title=TRH THE PRINCE OF WALES AND THE DUCHESS OF CORNWALL AWARDED WITH THE MEXICAN ORDER OF THE AZTEC EAGLE |url=https://embamex.sre.gob.mx/reinounido/index.php/en/ver-comunicados/761-hrh-the-prince-of-wales-was-awarded-with-the-mexican-order-of-the-aztec-eagle |access-date=11 April 2019 |publisher=Official website of the Mexican Embassy in the United Kingdom}}</ref>
|}

===Honorary military appointments===
; Australia
* {{Flagicon|AUS|army}} Colonel-in-Chief, of the Royal Australian Army Educational Corps<ref name=royal/>

; Bermuda
* {{Flagicon|BER|army}} Colonel-in-Chief, of the [[Royal Bermuda Regiment]] (2006–present)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bermudaregiment.bm/key-personnel-command-structure/|title=Key personalities|publisher=Royal Bermuda Regiment|access-date=26 October 2025}}</ref><ref name=royal/>

; Canada
* {{Flagicon|CAN|army}}  Colonel-in-Chief of the [[Royal Canadian Dental Corps]] (January 2006 – present)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.forces.gc.ca/health-sante/au-sn/bio/cic-ds-sd-eng.asp|title=Colonel-In-Chief of the CFDS|publisher=National Defence and the Canadian Forces|access-date=25 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120923053519/http://www.forces.gc.ca/health-sante/au-sn/bio/cic-ds-sd-eng.asp|archive-date=23 September 2012}}</ref>

; New Zealand
* {{Flagicon|NZL|army}} Colonel-in-Chief, of the Royal New Zealand Army Educational Corps<ref name=royal/>

; United Kingdom
* {{Flagicon|UK|army}} [[Colonel-in-Chief]], of the [[Royal Army Dental Corps]]<ref name=royal/> (until 2024 when the corps was amalgamated)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Allison |first=George |date=19 October 2024 |title=New Royal Army Medical Service announced |url=https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/new-royal-army-medical-service-announced/ |access-date=15 November 2024 |language=en-GB}}</ref>
* {{Flagicon|UK|army}} Colonel-in-Chief, of the [[Adjutant General's Corps]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.royal.uk/news-and-activity/2023-08-11/further-military-appointments-for-members-of-the-royal-family|title=Further Military Appointments for Members of the Royal Family|work=The Royal Family|date=11 August 2023|accessdate=11 August 2023}}</ref> (2023–present; Deputy Colonel-in-Chief 1992–2023<ref name=royal/><ref>{{London Gazette |issue=52834 |supp=2 |date=13 February 1992 |page=2582 |nolink=yes}}</ref>)
* {{Flagicon|UK|army}} Colonel-in-Chief, of the [[Royal Irish Rangers]]<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=51713|page=4916|date=24 April 1989|supp=2}}</ref>
* {{Flagicon|UK|army}} Deputy Colonel-in-Chief, of the [[Royal Army Medical Service]] (2024–present)<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/comment/register/article/court-circular-january-15-2025-f92fvlt9z|title=Court Circular: January 15, 2025|work=The Times|date=16 January 2025|access-date=23 January 2025}}</ref>
* {{Flagicon|UK|army}} Royal Colonel, of the 7th (V) Battalion [[The Rifles]]<ref name=royal/>
* {{flagicon|UK|naval}} Lady Sponsor, of {{HMS|Gloucester|D96|6}}<ref name="Lady Sponsor">{{cite web|url=https://royalcentral.co.uk/uk/cambridge/what-is-a-royal-ship-sponsor-162481/|title=What is a royal ship sponsor?|work=Royal Central|first=Jess|last=Ilse|date=30 June 2021|accessdate=30 June 2021}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|UK|naval}} Lady Sponsor, of {{HMS|Sandown|M101|6}}<ref name="Lady Sponsor"/>

===Non-national titles and honours===
* 1991: Honorary Liveryman of the [[Worshipful Company of Basketmakers]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketmakersco.org/honorary-members|title=Honorary Members|work=The Worshipful Company of Basketmakers|access-date=13 October 2025}}</ref>
* Honorary Freeman of the [[Worshipful Company of Drapers]]<ref name="Livery-Committee">{{cite web|url=https://liverycommittee.org/about/livery-companies-and-guilds/royal-family-connections-with-the-livery/|title=Royal Family Connections with the Livery|work=Livery Committee|date=7 June 2023|access-date=13 October 2025}}</ref>
* 2005: Liveryman of the [[Worshipful Company of Fan Makers]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/camilla-the-queen-queen-city-of-london-clarence-house-b1138981.html|title=Fans fan Camilla made Honorary Liveryman in special ceremony|work=Evening Standard|first=Tony|last=Jones|date=13 February 2024|access-date=13 February 2024}}</ref>
* Honorary Liveryman of the [[Worshipful Company of Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers]]<ref name="Livery-Committee"/>
* Liveryman of the [[Worshipful Company of Vintners]]<ref name="Livery-Committee"/>

===Arms===
{{Infobox COA wide
|name = the Duchess of Gloucester
|image = Coat of Arms of Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester (Order of the Garter).svg 
|image size = 
|bannerimage =Garter Banner of Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester.svg
|badgeimage = 
|notes = The [[coat of arms]] of the Duchess of Gloucester, depicting her husband's armorial bearings surmounted by an escutcheon of pretence granted to her by Royal Warrant.<ref name=arms>{{cite book|title=Boutell's Heraldry|year=1978|first1=Charles |last1=Boutell|first2=John Philip |last2=Brooke-Little|publisher=Frederick Warne|page=226|edition=8th (revised)|isbn=9780723220961}}</ref>
|year_adopted = 18 July 1973
|coronet = [[Coronet]] of a grandchild of the sovereign.
|escutcheon = The Duke of Gloucester's arms and in the centre an escutcheon of pretence ''Azure a lapwing proper, on a chief Or two pairs of ostrich feathers in saltire Sable''<ref name=arms/>
|supporters = The Royal Supporters differenced with the like coronet and label.
|compartment = 
|motto = 
|orders = The [[Order of the Garter|Garter]] [[circlet]];<br />motto: '''''[[Honi soit qui mal y pense]]''''' ''(Shame be to him who thinks evil of it)''.
|other_elements =  
|banner =Banner of her arms as Royal Lady Companion of the Garter depicted at [[St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle|St George's Chapel]]
|badge = 
|symbolism = 
|previous_versions = [[File:Coat of Arms of Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester.svg|right|100px]] The Duchess of Gloucester's previous arms featuring the circlet of the Royal Victorian Order (1989−2024)
}}

==Issue==
{{Excerpt|Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester|Issue}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://www.royal.uk/the-duchess-of-gloucester The Duchess of Gloucester] at the Royal Family website
* {{NPG name}}
* {{IMDb name|4452225}}

{{S-start}}
{{S-prec|uk}}
{{S-bef|before=[[Zara Tindall]]}}
{{S-ttl|title=[[United Kingdom order of precedence|Ladies]]<br />''HRH The Duchess of Gloucester''|years=}}
{{S-aft|after=[[Princess Michael of Kent]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{British princesses by marriage}}
{{Duchesses of Gloucester}}
{{Members of the Order of the Garter}}
{{UK Order of Precedence (Ladies)}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gloucester, Birgitte, Duchess of}}
[[Category:1946 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:British duchesses by marriage|Gloucester]]
[[Category:British people of Danish descent]]
[[Category:British people of Dutch descent]]
[[Category:Ladies of the Garter]]
[[Category:Dames Grand Cross of the Order of St John]]
[[Category:Dames Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order]]
[[Category:Dames Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown of Tonga]]
[[Category:Danish emigrants to England]]
[[Category:21st-century Danish nobility]]
[[Category:Danish people of Dutch descent]]
[[Category:House of Windsor|Birgitte]]
[[Category:People associated with the Royal Academy of Music]]
[[Category:People from Odense]]
[[Category:Wives of British princes]]
[[Category:Wives of knights]]
[[Category:Duchesses of Gloucester]]
[[Category:Descendants of Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester|Birgitte]]