One of King Charles’s longest-serving and most trusted members of staff has retired after more than four decades of service to the Royal Household. Mr Flannery began his royal career aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia before joining the then Prince of Wales’s personal staff in the early 1990s. His loyalty was put to the test following the separation of the then Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales. Last month it was announced that Sir Clive Alderton, the King’s Principal Private Secretary, will step down from his role during 2027 after around two decades of service. Sir Clive has been widely credited with helping guide both King Charles and Queen Camilla through the transition from heir to sovereign and the early years of the new reign.