King Charles' senior aide, Sir Clive Alderton, is set to step down after 20 years of royal service, including 11 years as Principal Private Secretary to the King and the late Queen Elizabeth II.
He most recently served as the King's top aide.
Sir Clive has served the royal household since 2006 and plans to step down around summer 2027, giving ample time for a successor to be appointed.
It is expected that the recruitment process will aim to identify only the highest calibre candidates.
Clive's departure is set to coincide with his 60th birthday, which is in May.
In a message addressed to colleagues this afternoon, Sir Clive said, "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."
King Charles reaction on Sir Clive Alderton departure
Meanwhile, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said Their Majesties are "deeply grateful to Clive for his tireless support and wise counsel over the years, and for the enduring loyalty that will ensure a smooth transition to his successor".
Clive Alderton praised for his two-decade tenure
He was at the heart of the monarchy's transition from Queen Elizabeth II to King Charles III, an accomplishment Richard Fitzwilliams said achieved "the unthinkable."
Fitzpatrick shared that the "normally seamless way the monarchy operates is partly due to courtiers" whom he described as "a species frequently parodied but essential to the institution's survival."
He explained, "The 20-year stint of Sir Clive Alderton as the Prince of Wales’s and then the King's Private Secretary will particularly be remembered by the way he handled what had often seemed unthinkable: the transition between the reigns of Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III and subsequently the Coronation."
The expert shared that this process was "widely regarded as a huge success."
Sir Clive oversaw Charles' transition to King, helped plan the 2023 Coronation, supported major state visits, and played a key role in managing the King's schedule following his cancer diagnosis.
