In 1911 he was employed as a cavalry officer, and between 1916 and 1927 he served as Norwegian military attaché in Bern, Vienna, Helsinki and London.
[1] During the occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany, Andvord was arrested in December 1944 in Hamar for "hostile behaviour" towards Germans.
He was imprisoned in Grini concentration camp from 18 December 1944 to the liberation of Norway.
Andvord also acted as driver for foreign dignitaries, guiding them on their way to royal audience.
[3] In 1958 the entire court of the Norwegian royal family consisted of as few as seven people; Richard Andvord, Ingvald Smith-Kielland, Odd Grønvold and Ellinor Grønvold, Else Werring, Ingeborg von Hanno and Vincent Bommen.