Buckingham Palace has been shaken by news that Sir Clive Alderton, one of the King's most trusted and influential aides, is preparing to step down after more than two decades serving the Crown. His departure has drawn attention because of his central role inside the royal household and his long association with the King.
For Prince Harry, now based in California, the development is likely to be viewed as significant because of his reported feud with Sir Clive, whom he is said to have nicknamed "The Wasp." That history has led to speculation that Sir Clive's retirement could remove one obstacle to any future warming of relations between Harry and the royal establishment.
However, royal commentators suggest that the situation is far more complicated than the exit of a single courtier. Even if Sir Clive is no longer in post, the broader tensions between Prince Harry and the royal family would still remain, meaning his departure does not automatically open the door to a return.
A major factor in that assessment is Prince William, who is described as a much bigger challenge in any discussion about Harry's place within royal life. The view emerging from this latest palace shake-up is that personal relationships and long-running family strains matter far more than one staffing change, even when that change involves one of the King's closest aides.
