Decades of medical experience at the Duchess’s bedside

Marcus Setchell, the Queen’s gynaecologist for two decades, is currently in charge of the care Kate is receiving.

Mr Setchell helped save the lives of the Countess of Wessex and her eldest child Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor in 2003.

Sophie was rushed to hospital after complaining of severe internal pains when she was eight months pregnant.

She was dangerously ill from blood loss and doctors performed an emergency Caesarean.

Lady Louise was born weighing just 4lb 9oz and transferred to St George’s Hospital for specialist care while the Countess remained at Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey, spending six days apart from her daughter.

Lady Louise was the first grandchild of the Queen to be born on the NHS.

In December 2001, the Countess was airlifted to hospital after suffering a potentially life-threatening ectopic pregnancy. In 2004, Mr Setchell was made a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO), a prestigious honour in the Queen’s personal gift.

He also assisted with the Duchess of Cornwall’s hysterectomy at King Edward VII’s Hospital in 2007 and delivered Sophie’s son James – Viscount Severn – the same year.

He looked after Kate when she was taken to hospital with severe morning sickness in the early stages of her pregnancy.

Mr Setchell is being assisted by Alan Farthing, the former fiancé of murdered TV presenter Jill Dando and the gynaecologist to the royal household.

Mr Farthing, who has been a doctor for 26 years, works at Queen Charlotte’s & Chelsea Hospital in Hammersmith, west London, and St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, west London, where Kate is due to give birth in the private Lindo Wing.

He became the royal household’s gynaecologist in September 2008 and Kate’s baby is his first high-profile royal birth.

The consultant gynaecologist, who qualified at St George’s Hospital Medical School in Tooting, south London, also works privately at King Edward VII’s Hospital, the Wellington Hospital in north London, St Mary’s Lindo Wing and Harley Street.