Sir Marcus Setchell has finally hung up his forceps. The Queen’s gynaecologist, who delayed his retirement to help deliver Prince George last year, said farewell at a lunch party at the Hyde Park Hilton on Monday lunch time.
The party, hosted by the Chairman of Wellbeing of Women, Sir Victor Blank, was also a fundraiser for the charity, which is working toward a research training fellowship in Sir Marcus’ name, to support a doctor in obstetrics and gynaecology.
The Duchess of Cambridge attended in an unofficial capacity yet Setchell told guests that his most memorable arrival was that of sextuplets.
Sir Marcus Setchell was Kate’s physician throughout the pregnancy.
He was photographed leaving Edward VII after he attended to Kate during her first bouts of morning sickness in December of 2012, and again after the birth.
Kirsty Young did a Desert Island Discs style interview with Sir Marcus.
Victoria Wood, Linda Bellingham plus Countess Rothermere were among the illustrious guest list.
Speaking at the dinner Sir Victor said:
“I have worked with him for many years at Wellbeing of Women and there is nobody who has been more conscientious or more committed or more helpful or more supportive as a Trustee of the Charity.
“Marcus has recently become the honorary President of Wellbeing of Women and we are mightily honoured to have him in that role. More particularly, he is absolutely determined that it won’t be a passive role and he is already filling up his diary with engagements on our behalf. He has been involved, not just as a Trustee of the charity, but also as a fundraiser, particularly through the Hike for Hope where, with help from many of you, he raised over £1m for gynaecological cancer research.
“We at the charity wanted to find a meaningful way to mark Marcus’ contribution not only to the field of obstetrics and gynaecology but also to the charity. And so together we are raising, through this lunch and otherwise, sufficient money for Wellbeing of Women to create the ‘Sir Marcus Setchell Research Fellowship’. This Fellowship will enable some of the best of the next generation of Doctors to be supported through their PhD and to go on to follow in the footsteps of one of the most illustrious obstetricians and gynaecologists.”