Henry, Duke of Gloucester

Henry, Duke of Gloucester was a member of the British royal family, the third son of King George V and Queen Mary of Teck. He served as a soldier, a working royal, and held the post of Governor-General of Australia. Known for his sense of duty, his life encompassed significant military service, public engagements, and a stable family life away from the direct line of succession.

Early life and education

Born at York Cottage on the Sandringham Estate, he was formally known as Prince Henry of Wales at his birth. He was educated alongside his brothers, the future Edward VIII and George VI, initially under a governess at York Cottage before moving to the Royal Naval College, Osborne. His education continued at the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, following the traditional path for royal princes. However, unlike his elder brothers, his military career would take a different direction, leading him to the British Army.

Military career

Prince Henry was commissioned into the King's Royal Rifle Corps in 1919 after attending the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. He developed a strong and lifelong affiliation with the British Army, serving with dedication. He saw service in various postings, including with his regiment in British India and later in British Egypt. During the Second World War, he served as Chief Liaison Officer to the British Expeditionary Force in France in 1939. He was injured in a serious car accident in France in 1940, which affected his active service. He attained the rank of Major-General and held several colonelcies, including of the Gloucestershire Regiment and the Royal Army Medical Corps.

Marriage and family

In 1935, he married Lady Alice Montagu Douglas Scott, the daughter of the 7th Duke of Buccleuch, at the Private Chapel, Buckingham Palace. The ceremony was a more subdued affair due to the recent death of the bride's father and the declining health of King George V. The couple had two sons: Prince William of Gloucester and Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester. The family made their home at Barnwell Manor in Northamptonshire, leading a relatively private life compared to other senior royals.

Public duties and later life

The Duke undertook a wide range of royal duties, representing the Crown both at home and abroad. His most significant official role was his appointment as Governor-General of Australia from 1945 to 1947, serving during the early post-war period under Prime Minister Ben Chifley. He was the only member of the royal family to hold this vice-regal post. Upon returning to Britain, he continued a full schedule of engagements, including presidencies of organizations like the Royal Commonwealth Society and the MCC. He also served as a Counsellor of State during the absences of his elder brothers.

Death and legacy

The Duke of Gloucester died in his sleep at Barnwell Manor on 10 June 1974. He was buried in the Royal Burial Ground, Frogmore. His elder son, Prince William of Gloucester, had predeceased him in an air crash in 1972, so his title passed to his younger son, Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester. Remembered as a dedicated and unassuming royal, his legacy includes his steadfast military service, his successful tenure in Canberra, and his commitment to numerous charitable causes. The Duke of Gloucester's Award for young people in New South Wales was established in his memory.

Category:British princes Category:Dukes of Gloucester Category:Governors-General of Australia