Sir Marcus Setchell, who safely delivered Prince George last July, has spoken about his role in the birth of the royal baby. The Queen's surgeon-gynaecologist had come out of retirement especially at the request of Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge, née Kate Middleton, to deliver their firstborn. In an interview with Woman's Hour on BBC Radio 4, Sir Marcus revealed how he dealt with the pressure.
Prince William and Kate are "just another healthy young couple"
"You just keep reminding yourself that although it's very important, for the couple and the about-to-be-born baby, it's just another healthy young couple giving birth to a hopefully very healthy baby," said the doctor. "And I constantly reminded myself of that so that the pressures of the hundreds of media people outside the hospital didn't affect me, at least not more than minimally."
VIDEO: Highlights from Prince George's first yearSir Marcus led the team of doctors in delivering Prince George at the exclusive Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in London. The 70-year-old added that there had been "perfectly wonderful" midwives who were involved on the day.
Duchess Kate attending Sir Marcus Setchell's leaving party in March
At the start of Kate's pregnancy, Sir Marcus was on hand to look after the Duchess when she suffered from hyperemesis gravidarum – severe morning sickness.
He has also delivered the Countess of Wessex's two children, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn. Earlier this year in March, Kate honoured the royal doctor by attending his leaving lunch at the Hyde Park Hilton. Sir Marcus was then called back to Buckingham Palace later that month as he was made a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order. The award is a personal nod from the Queen made independently of 10 Downing Street, given by Her Majesty to people who have served her, or her monarchy, in a personal way.