Sir Clive Alderton to Retire as King's Private Secretary

Sir Clive Alderton announced he will step down as Principal Private Secretary to King Charles III and Queen Camilla in May 2027, coinciding with his 60th birthday. A career diplomat and former UK Ambassador to Morocco, Alderton has served the Royal Household since 2006, spending the last 11 years in his current role.

Alderton was instrumental in managing the transition of Charles from Prince of Wales to monarch, chairing the Coronation Committee for the 2023 ceremony and overseeing the palace response to the King's 2024 cancer diagnosis. His tenure also included managing negotiations with the Duke of Sussex following the 2020 Sandringham Summit and supporting the household through scandals involving Prince Andrew and the end of Queen Elizabeth II's reign.

Buckingham Palace expressed deep gratitude for Alderton's support and counsel, noting that his loyalty will ensure a smooth transition. Alderton stated that serving the royal couple was the greatest imaginable honour and pledged to continue supporting them in a less formal capacity for the rest of his life.

The palace has initiated a recruitment process for a successor, considering applicants from the public and private sectors as well as internal candidates. Alderton intends to focus on his family after ensuring a seamless handover.