Sir Clive Alderton, the King's most senior aide and principal private secretary to Charles and Queen Camilla, has announced he will step down next year after 20 years of service to the Royal Household. His departure will coincide with his 60th birthday in May.
In a message to staff, Sir Clive said: "It has been the greatest imaginable honour to serve the King and Queen in my present role through such historic times and with unforgettable humour along the way. That support will continue, in a less formal capacity, for all of my life."
Career and background
Before joining the royal household, Alderton served as a diplomat with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office from 1986, with postings in Poland, Belgium, Singapore and France. He first joined Charles's household in 2006 as Deputy Private Secretary when Charles was Prince of Wales. In 2012 he became the UK's Ambassador to Morocco and non-resident Ambassador to Mauritania, before returning to royal service in 2015 as Principal Private Secretary to the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.
Upon Queen Elizabeth II's death in September 2022 and Charles's accession, Alderton moved to Buckingham Palace as the King's Private Secretary, the most senior operational official in the Royal Household.
'The Wasp' nickname
In his memoir Spare, Prince Harry—who regarded Sir Clive as one of the “men in grey suits” at the Palace—appeared to refer to him as “the Wasp,” writing: "Without warning, he’d give you such a stab with his outsized stinger that you’d cry out in confusion."
Succession plans
Royal sources said Alderton chose to share the news with staff so that an open and rigorous recruitment process for his successor could begin, aiming to identify the highest calibre external and internal candidates. The timeframe allows for an appropriate handover period in spring/summer 2027 once an appointment is made.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: "The King and Queen are deeply grateful to Sir Clive for his tireless support and wise counsel over the years, and for the enduring loyalty that will ensure a smooth transition to his successor."
