Flying accident of Prince William of Gloucester
Prince Richard was not meant for royal duties. He was born to then-Duke of Gloucester (son of King George V and Queen Mary) and Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester, in 1944. His elder brother, Prince William of Gloucester, was in the line to inherit the royal duties as well as the title.
Prince Richard took a keen interest in architecture and graduated from Cambridge with a degree in architecture He also started working as a partner at a London architecture firm by 1972. But after the unfortunate death of Prince William in a flying accident, Prince Richard took on a more active role in the royal family. He resigned from the firm, and eventually succeeded his father as the Duke of Gloucester in 1974.