King Charles III won’t turn his back on his loyal aid even after his estranged son Prince Harry’s past reservations.
The Duke of Sussex’s “Wasp” rival has announced to step down following Harry’s meeting with his father last month. However, experts believe he will remain “a voice in the monarch’s ear.”
Harry allegedly believes that his plea for a half-in, half-out role was turned dow by the late Quee with the insight of a close aide, who is set to leave his job next year.
King Charles’ right-hand will step down as principal private secretary in 2027, but his departure may not end his influence behind Palace doors.
Royal experts told Fox News Digital that “The Wasp” could remain “a voice in the king’s ear” as Charles continues to strenghten his fractured relationship with teh Sussexes.
Sir Clive Alderton’s departure will coincide with his 60th birthday after 20 years of service to the royal household.
In his 2023 memoir, “Spare,” Harry gave three powerful royal household staffers pointed insect nicknames. Alderton is widely believed to have been “The Wasp” — a fiercely loyal operator and uncompromising defender of the crown.
“Though Alderton is stepping away from his formal role, courtiers often retain a channel of influence at the palace long after their formal departure,” royal commentator Amanda Matta told teh outlet.
“It’s possible that ‘The Wasp,’ or others like him, could remain a voice in the king’s ear regardless of their employment status,” the expert contnued.
Matta went on: “I think their hesitancy with Harry is rooted in not wanting to perpetuate any perceived chaos or scandal within the royal fold. It doesn’t really matter what Harry’s intentions are. He might be seen as a threat by the king’s aides on principle.”
On July 10, King Charles reunited privately with Harry and his family at Highgrove House as they continued efforts to repair a rift that has persisted since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back from royal life.
“Harry has long reserved choice words for palace aides whom he has seen as adding to familial tensions,” Matta explained.
“So he likely does feel a degree of frustration with his father’s entire circle, and that of his grandmother’s, the late Queen Elizabeth II, who he previously noted were ‘blocking’ his access to the queen. But it’s clear that Alderton, in particular, got under his skin with his outwardly self-effacing manner that could turn treacherous once you walked away.”
Matta noted that in 2022, Harry said in a televised interview that he was “just making sure that she’s protected and got the right people around her,” referring to the queen.
Matta said that comment was taken as “an early dig” at her advisors, including Alderton.
“Alderton was said to have unprecedented access to the queen in her later years, briefing her on both official and family matters,” she claimed.
2026-08-17 19:46:00
