Queen's surgeon Sir George dies

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The Queen's former surgeon and gynaecologist has died at the age of 82 after a long illness.

Sir George Pinker, who delivered nine royal babies, including Princes William and Harry, died at the weekend.

The charity Wellbeing for Women, formerly known as Birthright, confirmed the death with "great sadness" and credited him as an "exceptional man".

A spokeswoman for Buckingham Palace said that the Queen was very sad to learn of his death.

The surgeon is survived by three sons and a daughter.

The cause of his death is not known.

'Extremely popular'

Liz Campbell, director of Wellbeing for Women, said: "It is with great sadness that we learnt the news that Sir George Pinker had passed away following a long illness.

"He was an exceptional man and a great supporter of the charity in its early days as Birthright. Our thoughts are with his family and many friends."

Sir George was appointed to the royal post in 1973 and his first delivery in the role came that year with the birth of the Earl of Ulster, the child of the Queen's cousin, the Duke of Gloucester and his wife.

The children of the Princess Royal and Princess Michael of Kent were among the other royal babies he delivered.

When he stepped down in 1990, he was made a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order, an honour in the Queen's personal gift.

Sir George argued that moderation was the key to a successful pregnancy, advising his patients: "Lead as normal a life as possible without indulging in excesses, neither eating for two nor walking two miles a day if you are not used to it."

Sir George trained at St Mary's Hospital, Paddington, west London, in 1942 and returned to work there as a consultant in 1958, staying until 1991.

A spokeswoman for the hospital said: "Sir George was an extremely popular consultant and was remarked upon for having a rapport with patients and staff alike."