In a photoshoot to celebrate her 80th birthday, the Duchess of Gloucester has only love in her eyes as she poses with her royal husband, Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester.

Her Royal Highness Birgitte beamed lovingly at her husband, who is a year older, in brand-new portraits captured in the garden at Buckingham Palace to mark her milestone birthday. 

Prince Richard, who is the grandson of King George V and a cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II, looked every part the doting husband, gazing back affectionately at his Danish-born wife. 

Birgitte, who turned 80 on Saturday, wore an elegant sage green matching skirt and belted jacket, with a pearl necklace and gold accessories to complete her look. 

Prince Richard, who was photographed tenderly placing his arm around his wife’s shoulders, sported a grey suit and brown striped tie for the occasion.

A solo image of Birgitte was also taken, where she is pictured in Buckingham Palace’s Yellow Drawing Room. Wearing a cream dress and a string of green and white pearls, the Duchess smile is captivating.

Commemorating her ninth decade, the Royal Family’s official Instagram account also shared a series of snaps of Birgitte over the years with the caption: ‘Today, The Duchess of Gloucester celebrates her 80th birthday!

‘Swipe to discover more about Her Royal Highness’s life and work.’

The Duchess of Gloucester has only love in her eyes as she poses with her royal husband, Prince Richard, for a photoshoot celebrating her 80th birthday

Birgitte, who turned 80 on Saturday, wore an elegant sage green matching skirt and belted jacket for the pictures

Birgitte, pictured in Buckingham Palace’s Yellow Drawing Room, has become an integral member of the Royal Family over the last five decades

Birgitte, who has become an integral member of the Royal Family over the last five decades, was born in the Danish city of Odense to lawyer Asger Henriksen and his wife, Vivian van Deurs, and grew up in a privileged but ordinary household. 

She met Prince Richard, whom she has been married to for 53 years, while attending finishing school in Cambridge during the late-1960s, where the young royal was studying architecture. 

At the time, Prince Richard was fifth in line to the throne, but considered very much ‘a spare’, with elder brother Prince William set to inherit the dukedom.

Following the completion of her studies, Birgitte relocated to London in 1971 to work as a secretary at the Royal Danish Embassy in London. One year later, she and Richard were engaged. 

The pair wed at St Andrew’s Church in Barnwell, Northamptonshire, in 1972, and have three children: Alexander Windsor, Lady Davina and Lady Rose. 

Following the sudden death of 30-year-old Prince William, when his plane crashed during an amateur air race – and just weeks after their wedding – Prince Richard became heir apparent to the dukedom. Upon the passing of his father, Prince Henry, in 1974, Richard and Birgitte became the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. 

In the time since, Birgitte has had a ringside seat at every royal event of the past 50 years, gaining a reputation for her quiet and drama-free demeanor. 

She and her husband are noted among royal inner circles for their devotion to one another – and their duties. 

Birgitte and Prince Richard wed at St Andrew’s Church in 1972. In 1974, they became Duke and Duchess of Gloucester on the death of his father

Over the last five decades, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester have attended the most significant events in the royal calendar, such as the annual Order of the Garter Service at Windsor Castle

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester (right) on Buckingham Palace’s balcony after this year’s Trooping the Colour, alongside, from left, Sir Timothy Laurence, the Duchess of Edinburgh and the Duke of Kent

A friend of Birgitte’s, named Anne, told the Mail that as a couple, the Duke and Duchess ‘have been very good together, and good for each other’. 

She said: ‘Their life has been very different from what they expected it to be, but they are both very committed to their duty.

‘She [Birgitte] is a very curious, obliging and kind woman. She just wanted to do her best.’

Birgitte supports around 60 charities and patronages, is a sponsor of two Royal Navy ships, and is president of the Royal Academy of Music. 

And from Trooping the Colour to Royal Ascot, she has also become a regularly reassuring presence to the family’s most senior members. 

At this year’s Trooping the Colour on Saturday, June 13, the Duchess was captured with her husband on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for the Red Arrows display alongside the King and Queen, the Waleses and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh.

Regarded as among the most significant ceremonial events in the royal calendar, Trooping the Colour celebrates the head of state’s birthday.

On Tuesday, Birgitte made an appearance at Royal Ascot and was pictured closely walking alongside Queen Camilla. 

Both women sported elegant outfits – with Birgitte swearing her 80th birthday photoshoot suit – and hats for the annual festivity, which will run this year from Tuesday until Sunday. 

The Duchess of Gloucester with Queen Camilla at Royal Ascot last week, with Birgitte wearing the suit she wore for her 80th birthday photoshoot

Danish-born Birgitte and Prince Richard looked the picture of bliss at Royal Ascot on Tuesday

Birgitte appeared at the penultimate day of Royal Ascot sporting an elegant tailored coatdress with an on-trend woven mini bag

The Duchess celebrated her birthday at the races on the penultimate day of Royal Ascot

Birgitte made a second appearance at the races on the penultimate day of Royal Ascot – and her birthday – on Saturday. 

The Duchess was photographed beaming on her special day, sporting a sophisticated vista blue coat dress and matching white hat adorned with blue flowers. 

And showing her significance to the family over the decades, as one of his first gestures as monarch, King Charles made Birgitte a member of the Order of the Garter, the highest order of chivalry, as a mark of his gratitude.

A source that spoke to the Daily Mail said Birgitte was so moved by the honour she cried.  

‘She’s an absolute trooper and has never given the Royal Family a day of worry in her life,’ a palace insider said.

‘And she never, ever wants to be the centre of attention. When they call, she is there.’