Sir Clive Alderton, King Charles and Queen Camilla's longtime principal private secretary, will leave his post in May 2027. Prince Harry, 41, is likely to welcome the news, as Sir Clive has been widely identified as the unnamed courtier Harry called "The Wasp" in his 2023 memoir Spare.
Harry wrote of the courtier: "The Wasp was charming, arrogant, a ball of jazzy energy. He was great at pretending to be polite, even servile. Because he seemed so weedy, so self-effacing, you might be tempted to push back, insist on your point, and that was when he’d put you on his list. A short time later, without warning, he’d give you such a stab with his outsized stinger that you’d cry in confusion: 'Where the f--- did that come from?'"
A Palace Change That Raises Harry's Hopes
Following Prince Harry's recent UK visit and a meeting of Charles and Camilla with the entire Sussex family, it has been claimed that Harry and Meghan feel their dream of being "half-in-half-out" money-making royals is closer than ever.
But King Charles is a cautious man and a careful thinker. While he may be delighted by the signs of verbal restraint Harry and Meghan have shown in recent months, he will not be easily fooled.
A Family Still Smarting
King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William and Princess Kate are still smarting from the wasp-like sting Harry gave them all, and the entire institution of the Royal Family, in his book and previous TV interviews.
They will not be convinced by Harry's "on the road to Damascus" view of the monarchy, a monarchy he trashed around the world for payment and profit. They will not entirely trust a man who made public private conversations and disputes to their detriment, and to Harry's PR gain.
Motives Questioned as US Opportunities Wane
Nor will they yet trust the motives for Harry and Meghan appearing to want more regular UK visits, especially as reports claim the US audience is increasingly bored by the Sussexes and business opportunities across the pond are waning.
Royal insider Kinsey Schofield put it bluntly: "Harry may welcome Sir Clive’s retirement personally, especially after portraying him so negatively in ‘Spare,’ but if Harry believes one retirement suddenly clears the path back into the Royal Family, I think he’ll be disappointed."
The Verdict
The trust deficit is far bigger than any one adviser. Reconciliation has always depended less on who advises the King and more on whether Harry can convince his family that history won't repeat itself.
So enjoy your Champers Harry, there may be a sting in this royal fairytale yet.
