When you think of the British royal family, your mind likely conjures up the late Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Prince William, Princess Catherine, Prince Harry, Meghan Markle… Maybe even the late Princess Diana.
But there are several members of the royal family who stay out of the limelight and are therefore lesser known; allow us to introduce them to you.
Birgitte, the Duchess of Gloucester
Birgitte, the Duchess of Gloucester is the wife of Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester – the late Queen Elizabeth’s cousin. Though Birgitte and Prince Richard are not typically on royal watcher’s radars, they are full-time working members of the royal family. In fact, Birgitte recently joined Queen Camilla at Buckingham Palace for the Queen’s Anniversary Prizes for Higher and Further Education. 22 schools across the United Kingdom were recognised for excellence, innovation and impact in various fields.
Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester
Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester is currently 31st in line to the throne.
He is the second son of the late Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, a grandchild of the late King George V and a first cousin to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
At the time of his birth, August 26, 1944, Richard was 5th in the order of succession.
As a young adult, Richard worked as an architect but when his older brother William died in a tragic plane crash in 1972, he abandoned architecture to take on royal duties. This is because he was now directly in line to inherit his father’s dukedom of Gloucester.
Two years later, in 1974, Prince Henry died and Richard did indeed become the Duke of Gloucester.
Since then, Richard has continued to carry out royal duties and engagements; most recently, in November 2023, Richard attended the Royal Berkshire Archives’ 75th anniversary celebration and, while there, unveiled a plaque to mark the occasion.
Prince Edward, Duke of Kent
41st in line to the throne is Prince Edward, Duke of Kent (not to be confused with Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh).
Edward is the first son of the late Prince George, Duke of Kent, a grandson of the late King George V and a first cousin to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Edward is also both a second cousin and first cousin once removed to King Charles III as his mother, Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark, was a first cousin of the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
Edward has held the Duke of Kent title since his father died in 1942; at the time, Edward was only 6-years-old.
The now 88-year-old has carried out royal duties for most of his life; most recently, in June 2023, Edward attended a ceremony held to honour his dedication to The Lorne Scots (he’s their longest serving Colonel-in-Chief).
Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy
Princess Alexandra is currently 57th in line to the throne. She’s also the aforementioned Prince Edward’s sister.
Therefore, Alexandra is the first daughter but second child of the late Prince George, Duke of Kent, a grandson of the late King George V, a first cousin to the late Queen Elizabeth II and both a second cousin and first cousin once removed to King Charles III.
Alexander partook in multiple royal duties and engagements over the years. But while she is listed as a working member of the royal family, she has noticeably (and understandably; she’s 87-years-old!) stepped back in recent years.
Prince Michael of Kent
Prince Michael of Kent is Prince Edward and Princess Alexandra’s younger brother; meaning he’s the second son but third child of the late Prince George, Duke of Kent, a grandson of the late King George V, a first cousin to the late Queen Elizabeth II and both a second cousin and first cousin once removed to King Charles III.
Michael was never expected to undertake engagements on behalf of the royal family but still did so occasionally.
As he didn’t have many royal duties though, Michael instead served in the military and then supported multiple charities and organisations.
However in June 2022, Michael retired from public life altogether.
Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor
The eldest child of Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor , is also the youngest granddaughter of the late Queen Elizabeth II and the youngest niece of King Charles III.
Currently 16th in line to the throne, Louise doesn’t have a ‘princess’ title nor does she carry out official royal duties.
At present, the 20-year-old is a student at the University of St Andrews but she may engage in royal duties once she graduates…
James Alexander Philip Theo Mountbatten-Windsor, Earl of Wessex
The youngest child of Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, James, Earl of Wessex, is also the youngest grandchild of the late Queen Elizabeth II and the youngest nephew of King Charles III.
Currently 15th in line to the throne, James doesn’t have a ‘prince’ title nor does the 16-year-old carry out official royal duties.
Peter Phillips
Peter Phillips is Princess Anne’s only son, the eldest grandchild of the late Queen Elizabeth II and a nephew of King Charles III.
But unlike his sister, Zara Tindall who has stayed quite prominent in the public eye because of her Olympic career and marriage to notable rugby union player Mike Tindall, Peter has stayed out of the limelight.
Peter – who is managing director for the sports management company SEL UK – doesn’t engage in any official royal duties, but he is 18th in line to the throne.
