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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Milica Cosic

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

Queen Elizabeth II' s death certificate has been revealed today - citing the 96-year-old monarch died of "old age" - but eagle eyed fans have spotted her doctor's unusual title.

According to the document - which was published by National Records of Scotland on Thursday - the late monarch died at 3.10pm on September 8 at Balmoral Castle in Ballater.

The cause of death has been listed as "old age", by her doctor - with no other contributing factors.

The registered medical practitioner on the parchment has been listed as Dr Douglas James Allan Glass, who is given the unusual title 'Apothecary to the Queen' in the historic document.

And Paul Lowe, the Registrar General for Scotland, went on to confirm that the long-reigning monarch's death was registered in Aberdeenshire on 16 September 2022.

The Queen waves in 2012 (Getty Images)
In February 2022 (REUTERS)

Dr Glass is a GP from the Highlands village of Aboyne, around 20 miles from Balmoral.

He was the late Queen’s doctor - or Apothecary - in Scotland, and began his role as Apothecary to Her Majesty's Household at Balmoral in 1988. It is reported he had served for 34 years.

In 2019 he acted as Charles' physician when he made an official visit to Germany.

On the death certificate, Dr Glass also crossed out the term 'registrar', and instead the physician scribbled in 'registrar general'.

There is also an apothecary to the Household at Windsor - the name that was adopted as the British Royal Family's official name.

And the title has historical significance.

They are an officer of the Medical Household of the Royal Household of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom, and hold a salaried daily surgery.

Currently, the job at Windsor is being held by Kirstin Ostle - who is the first female post holder.

And the title of Physician to the King or Queen, as appropriate, is a title held by physicians of the Medical Household of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom.

The position is part of the Medical Household, which includes physicians - who treat general conditions - and extra physicians who act as specialists that are brought in when required.

Today, National Records of Scotland announced that it had published an extract from The Queen’s entry in the Register of Deaths.

In a statement, the public body said: "The Registrar General for Scotland, Paul Lowe, confirmed that Her Majesty The Queen’s death was registered in Aberdeenshire on 16th September 2022.

"National Records of Scotland has today published an extract from Her Majesty The Queen’s entry in the Register of Deaths. An official extract of an entry in the Register of Deaths can also be referred to as a death certificate."

The Monarch's death certificate gives forenames as Elizabeth Alexandra Mary and writes next to her occupation: "Her Majesty the Queen". Her usual resident of Windsor Castle, in Windsor has been listed.

The paper was signed by the Princess Royal, who was by her side, as was her eldest son Charles, and holds the certificate number of 819, in district 332.

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