Jill Dando's fiancé and Queen's personal doctor part of elite medical team caring for Kate


December 5, 2012

The Duchess of Cambridge is in good hands. While she recovers in hospital while suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum, Prince William's wife is being cared for by an elite medical team headed by two top royal doctors. Doctor Alan Farthing (below with the Countess of Wessex) – the former fiancé of the late TV presenter Jill Dando – who is the Queen's personal surgeon-gynecologist joins his predecessor Marcus Setchell by Kate's bedside, and both are expected to attend to her throughout her pregnancy and be at her birth.

Forty-seven-year-old Doctor Farthing became gynecologist to the monarch in 2008, nine years after Crimewatch presenter Jill was killed. He works at hospitals in Paddington and Hammersmith, West London, and has a private practice in Harley Street. This is his first royal pregnancy since taking up the post. Doctor Setchell (below) was the royal surgeon-gynecologist for 18 years and delivered both of the Countess of Wessex's children – Lady Louise Windsor, nine and Viscount Severn, four. He was on hand after Sophie collapsed and almost died when Lady Louis was born prematurely in 2003. He also cared for the Countess after her ectopic pregnancy in 2001. The doctor also performed a hysterectomy for the Duchess of Cornwall in 2007 at the King Edward VII Hospital, where Kate is being treated.

The 30-year-old is said to be feeling better, but will remain in hospital for the next few days. William was pictured smiling last night after he left following a visit, and the couple released a statement saying they are" immensely grateful for the good wishes they have received".In recognition of Dr Setchell's work he was awarded a personal honour by the Queen in 2004. The father-of-four was made a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order. Four years later, when Doctor Farthing took over, he became one of the youngest doctors to treat the royal family. He is reported to have met Kate last year after the royal wedding. The physician qualified as a doctor in 1986, becoming a member of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in 1991, and a fellow in in 2003.

Mr Fathing was engaged to journalist Jill when she was murdered in 1999, five months before they were due to marry. He found love again with hospital doctor Janet Stowell, who is 14 years his junior. The couple married during a small civil ceremony in 2008 and started a family last year, welcoming a son.

HELLO! WILL RELEASE A SPECIAL EDITION WITH ALL THE DETAILS ON THE COUPLE'S JOYFUL NEWS AS CONGRATULATIONS POUR IN FROM AROUND THE WORLD.PLUS: THE LATEST ON KATE'S SICKNESS SCARE AND THE TELLTALE SIGNS THAT SHE WAS EXPECTINGDON'T MISS YOUR SOUVENIR COPY OF HELLO!, ON SALE FROM WEDNESDAY

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