The Queen's doctor: Who was the Apothecary to the Monarch?

According to the death certificate released by National Records of Scotland on Thursday, Queen Elizabeth II died on September 8 at 3.10 pm at Balmoral Castle. Her cause of death has been listed as old age with no contributing factor. But what’s interesting is her doctor’s unusual title.

Apothecary of 21st century

Dr Douglas James Allan Glass, who is given the unique title ‘Apothecary to the Queen’ in the historic document, has been identified as the registered physician on the parchment. He served as the late Queen's physician in Scotland and started working for Her Majesty's Household at Balmoral in 1988. According to Mirror, he served as the Queen’s apothecary for 34 years.

Dr Douglas James Allan Glass was not only the Queen’s doctor, but he also acted as King Charles III’s physician when he made an official visit to Germany. What’s more? MailOnline confirms Dr Glass was also the one who saved Queen mother's life once when she choked on a fish bone in May 1993 at Balmoral Castle.

Dr Timothy Evans, who cared for the late monarch's health at the royal household in Windsor, played a similar role to Dr Glass. Dr Glass also practises as a GP in the Highlands village of Aboyne – around 20 miles from Balmoral Castle. It is unclear if he currently works at the Braemar Health Clinic, but he was described as doing so until at least July 2020.

What does it mean to be an apothecary to the royals?

As an apothecary to the Royal Household, doctors hold a title of historical significance. They hold a salaried daily surgery and are a member of the Medical Household of the Royal Household of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom.

Kirstin Ostle – the first female to hold the position at Windsor - is an apothecary to the Household at Windsor. And members of the Medical Household of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom hold the title of Physician to the King or Queen, as applicable.

Sources Used

Mirror: Queen's doctor's unusual title revealed as death certificate says she died of old age

Daily Mail: Revealed: Doctor who signed Queen's death certificate had served her for 34 years after being personally appointed as Apothecary to Her Majesty's Household at Balmoral during Buckingham Palace ceremony in 1988

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