Prince Harry Could Benefit From Major Change in King Charles’ Royal Household
A major change is coming to King Charles III’s Royal Household, and it could create a new opportunity for Prince Harry to rebuild his relationship with the monarchy.
Sir Clive Alderton, the King’s long-serving principal private secretary and one of his closest advisers for nearly two decades, announced that he will step down from his role in 2027.
The departure is significant because Harry and Alderton have had a strained relationship. In his memoir Spare, the Duke of Sussex referred to the royal aide as “the Wasp” and accused him of being among the palace officials who opposed a “half-in, half-out” arrangement for Harry and Meghan Markle after they stepped back from royal duties in 2020.
Despite the tensions, palace insiders have maintained that Alderton always acted in what he believed was the best interest of the Royal Family.
However, Harry is reportedly paying close attention to who replaces Alderton, with hopes that a new adviser could help improve relations between him and his father.
The frontrunner for the position is reportedly Theo Rycroft, Alderton’s deputy, who is said to have the King’s trust and has been involved in efforts to repair the relationship between Charles and Harry.
Some royal observers believe Rycroft’s possible appointment could strengthen ongoing reconciliation efforts between the Duke of Sussex and the monarch.
Royal author Andrew Lownie suggested that Alderton’s departure may have come after a difficult period within the palace, particularly over efforts to rebuild bridges with Harry and Meghan.
“I suspect there may have been a dispute or an impasse. Once the task became about rebuilding bridges with Harry and Meghan, Clive may have felt he had done enough,” Lownie said.
Podcast host Tom Sykes also described Rycroft as a supporter of reconciliation, suggesting his appointment would be welcomed by those hoping to see Harry return closer to the Royal Family.
The development comes after signs of a possible thaw in relations between Harry, Meghan and the King, including a recent meeting at Sandringham.
While a return to a “half-in, half-out” royal role remains uncertain, Harry and Meghan may see Alderton’s exit as the removal of one of the barriers that previously stood in the way of closer ties with the monarchy.
