The consultant obstetrician who oversaw the safe delivery of Prince George and the Queen‘s private secretary in charge of preparing for the transition to a change of reign are both recognised in the honours list.
Marcus Setchell, 70, the Queen’s surgeon-gynaecologist for two decades, becomes Sir Marcus. Setchell, who delayed his retirement when the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge asked him to supervise the birth of the third-in-line to the throne, is made a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Orders (KCVO) – an honour given as the personal gift of the Queen.
Sir Christopher Geidt, the Queen’s private secretary, is already a KCVO and an OBE but now adds the letters KCB by becoming a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath. A key adviser to the Queen since 2007, Geidt’s citation reads: “He has brought to this key role a new approach to constitutional matters (including at the time of the formation of the coalition government), the preparation for the transition to a change of reign and relations with the Commonwealth.”
Others honoured include Caroline Cassells, matron at the private King Edward VII’s hospital, the royal family’s hospital of choice, and where the Duchess of Cambridge was treated for morning sickness early on in her pregnancy. Cassells becomes a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO.)
David Barber, the Queen’s swan marker – a role dating back to the twelfth century – is made a Member of the Victorian Order (MVO).
Others becoming Members of the Victorian Order include David Weigh, chief cabinet maker, royal household, and Martin Woods, the head gardener on the Queen’s Sandringham estate in Norfolk.
Shona Williams, who is assistant dresser to Camila, duchess of Cornwall, and Robert Large, whose title is yeoman of the royal cellars – essentially a royal sommelier – are among those awarded the Royal Victorian Medal.
