This sweet photo could definitely be a Picture of the Moment. Here we see HRH Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester with his eldest son, Prince William.

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Henry was the third son of King George V. In 1935 he married Lady Alice Montagu-Douglas-Scott, a daughter of the Duke of Buccleuch. Their union produced Prince William and his younger brother, Prince Richard.

The Gloucesters lived at Barnwell Manor in Northamptonshire. They would move to Australia a few months after Prince Richard’s birth, where Henry took up the post of Governor-General. The Duke of Gloucester’s younger brother Prince George was to take the position, but he was killed in a plane crash.

Their time in Australia lasted only a short while. In March 1947, after only two years on the job, Henry had to return home to act as Regent. His elder brother, King George VI, was away on an extensive royal tour of South Africa with his family.

Back in England, both William and younger brother Richard finished their education at Eton College. The Princes both continued to Magdalene College, Cambridge. William read history, earning himself a BA degree. Subsequently, he was awarded a Masters degree in 1968. Prince Richard read architecture and received his BA degree.

Unfortunately for the Royal Family, William’s uncle George would not be the only sad loss to an airplane accident. William himself was killed 1972 when the plane he was piloting crashed at Halfpenny Green, near Wolverhampton.

As Henry’s eldest son, William was the heir-apparent of his father’s peerages, including those of Earl of Ulster and Baron Culloden. Upon his fatal accident, Richard became the heir-apparent.

Prince Henry, who had already been weakened by a recent stroke, took the news badly. Those closest to him said that William’s death was the final blow to Henry’s ill health. The Duke died two years later in 1974, making Richard the new Duke of Gloucester.

Today, the Gloucester line is thriving. Prince Richard married Birgitte van Deurs of Denmark and had three children: Alexander, Earl of Ulster, Lady Davina, and Lady Rose.

Alexander is married to Dr. Claire Booth, a pediatrician. They have one son named Xan, who is also known by the title Lord Culloden. Lady Davina married Gary Lewis, a New Zealander who is the first person of Maori descent in the Royal Family. Lady Rose married George Gilman, son of property developer Peter Gilman.

The Duke of Gloucester, like his cousin Prince Charles, is particularly interested in architecture and conservation. He serves as a commissioner of the Historic Building and Monuments Commission for England and is a corporate member of the Royal Institute of British Architects.

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The Duchess of Gloucester performs royal duties with her husband in support of the Queen. Her Royal Highness also carries out numerous public engagements on behalf of her own patronages, many of which have medical, educational or welfare connections.

The happy, warm-hearted Gloucesters are a source of pride for the Royal family. I wish them many happy years.