The King will lose one of his closest and longest-serving advisers next year after Buckingham Palace confirmed that Sir Clive Alderton is stepping down following two decades of service to the Royal Household.
Sir Clive, who has served as Principal Private Secretary to both the King and Queen since 2015, announced to staff that he will leave his role in early summer 2027, bringing to an end a career that has seen him guide the monarchy through some of its most significant moments in modern history.
Having first joined the then Prince of Wales’s Household in 2006 as Deputy Private Secretary, Sir Clive became one of the King’s most trusted confidants. During his time in the role, he helped oversee Charles’s transition from Prince of Wales to sovereign following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022.
He played a central role in planning the King’s Coronation in May 2023, chaired the Coronation Organising Committee and has overseen numerous state visits both at home and abroad. More recently, he has helped manage the King’s public programme following His Majesty’s cancer diagnosis.
In a message to Palace staff, Sir Clive reflected on his years of service, saying: “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.”
Buckingham Palace said the King and Queen were “deeply grateful” for Sir Clive’s years of service, praising his “tireless support”, “wise counsel” and “enduring loyalty”, adding that these qualities would ensure a smooth transition to his successor.
Throughout his time in royal service, Sir Clive has been at the centre of many defining moments for the monarchy. Alongside preparations for the accession and Coronation, he has been closely involved in handling the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s departure from royal duties and navigating other challenges faced by the Royal Family in recent years.
Prince Harry famously referred to Sir Clive as “The Wasp” in his memoir Spare, following his involvement in discussions surrounding the Sussexes’ future role within the monarchy. Within Palace circles, however, Sir Clive has long been recognised for his diplomatic approach and steadfast loyalty to the King.
Before returning to royal service in 2015, Sir Clive served as the British Ambassador to Morocco between 2012 and 2015, having previously held a number of senior diplomatic postings around the world after joining the Foreign Office in 1986.
He was appointed a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO) in 2022 in recognition of his service.
Buckingham Palace will now begin the search for a new Principal Private Secretary, with candidates expected to come from both inside and outside the Royal Household.
