The Duchess of Gloucester has shown off the look of love while posing for a photoshoot with her royal husband to celebrate her 80th birthday. Her Royal Highness Birgitte beamed lovingly at her husband, Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, 81, 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 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 for the pictures, including a second solo shot, and opted for a pearl necklace and gold accessories to complete her look. Prince Richard, who was photographed tenderly placing his arm around his wife's shoulder, sported a grey suit and brown striped tie for the occasion.A third picture of Birgitte, in Buckingham Palace's Yellow Drawing Room, was also released as part of the celebrations, showing the Duchess smile captivatingly while wearing a cream dress and a string of green and white pearls. Commemorating her eighth 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 shown off the look of love while posing with 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 decadesBirgitte, 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, and grew up in a privileged but ordinary household. She first 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 an undergraduate course in 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 Prince William while racing a plane aged 30, Prince Richard unexpectedly 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 Over the last five decades, Duke and Duchess of Gloucester have attended the most significant events in the royal calendar. They are pictured here attending the annual Order of the Garter Service at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester (far right) pictured at Buckingham Palace's balcony for this year's Trooping the Colour Red Arrows displayA friend of the Duchess, 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, including King Charles and Camilla. 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 Consort, Camilla. Both women sported elegant light blue dresses and hats for the annual festivity, which will run this year from Tuesday until Sunday. Birgitte has become a regularly reassuring presence to the family's most senior members, including King Charles and Queen Camilla. Pictured here with Camilla at Royal Ascot on June 16, 2026 Birgitte and Prince Richard looked the picture of bliss at Royal Ascot on TuesdayAnd showing her significance to the family over the decades, King Charles made Birgitte a member of the Order of the Garter, the highest order of chivalry, as one of his first gestures as monarch and as a mark of his gratitude.A source that spoke to the 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.'