King Charles III has lost one of his most loyal aides, Sir Clive Alderton, who has served as his private secretary for 20 years. Alderton, who also served as private secretary to the then-Prince of Wales, has been a key figure in the royal household.
According to official statements from Buckingham Palace, Alderton's departure is part of a planned transition. He will be succeeded by Tom Laing-Baker, who has been deputy private secretary since 2021.
Sir Clive Alderton was appointed as the King's private secretary in 2022 when Charles ascended the throne. He previously served as the Prince of Wales's private secretary from 2015. His role involved managing the King's official correspondence, diary, and engagements.
The palace has not disclosed specific reasons for Alderton's departure, but it is understood to be a routine change in senior staff. The transition is expected to be smooth, with Laing-Baker already familiar with the workings of the royal household.
