May 2, 2007, 13:00 GMT
Britain's Queen Elizabeth's surgeon-gynaecologist has died.
04/05/2007 - Queen Elizabeth II - © Solarpix / Photorazzi
Sir George Pinker died at the age of 82 after a long illness on Sunday (30.04.07).
A spokesman for Buckingham Palace said the queen was "very sad" to learn of the surgeon's death.
Sir Pinker, who delivered nine royal babies, was head consultant at the private Lindo wing at west London's St Mary's Hospital, where he attended the births of Princes William and Harry.
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 Pinker - who is survived by three sons and a daughter - was appointed to the royal post in 1973.
In 1974 he delivered his first royal baby, the Earl of Ulster, son of the queen's cousin the Duke of Gloucester and his wife.
When he stepped down in 1990, the queen made him a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order.
(C) BANG Media International
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