Duke of Cambridge receives RSM Honorary Fellowship

His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge was admitted as an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine during a ceremony at the Society on Wednesday 17 January.

The Honorary Fellowship was presented to The Duke by Professor Sir Simon Wessely, President of the RSM and Mr Babulal Sethia, Immediate Past President, and was given in recognition of His Royal Highness’s contributions to healthcare and concern for the least fortunate in Society.

The citation, delivered by Mr Sethia, referred to The Duke’s work in the Royal Air Force Search and Rescue Force and as a helicopter pilot with the East Anglian Air Ambulance, and went on to describe the work of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry to promote public awareness of mental health problems and the need to tackle the stigma often associated with these problems.

Mr Sethia said: “During his time with the ambulance service he discharged his responsibilities with great expertise, humility and good humour. I am sure that he will have learned a lot about emergency medicine during his time there. This experience enabled him to connect with local communities and was a particularly remarkable contribution to our public life when one considers the many responsibilities that he discharged as a busy member of the Royal family.”

After the ceremony The Duke was introduced to RSM Council members, directors and key supporters by Sir Simon and Mrs Helen Gordon, RSM Chief Executive.

Sir Simon said: “It was a great honour for all of us to meet The Duke today and to celebrate the major contributions he is making to the health and mental wellbeing of our nation. We are delighted that he has joined a fellowship that already includes his father and grandfather and some of the most distinguished men and women in science and medicine.”