Richard was born on 23 May 1813 at Thalheim bei Wels, in the Wels-Land District of Upper Austria.

He was the son of Franz, 4th Prince of Khevenhüller-Metsch, and, his third wife (and niece), Countess Krisztina "Christina" Zichy de Zich et Vásonkeő.

His maternal grandparents were Count Károly Zichy, the Lord Chief Justice of the Kingdom of Hungary, and Countess Anna Maria Khevenhüller-Metsch (eldest daughter of Johann, 2nd Prince of Khevenhüller-Metsch).

Upon the death of his father on 2 July 1837, he became the 5th Prince of Khevenhüller-Metsch and, from 1861, a member of the Austrian House of Lords.

Together, they were the parents of:[4] The Prince died on 29 November 1877 at Ladendorf Castle, Mistelbach District, Lower Austria.