THE King’s right-hand man Sir Clive Alderton has announced he will step down from his role 20 years after first joining the Royal Household.

Sir Clive, 59, the King and Queen’s principal private secretary, will stand down around his 60th birthday next May but will continue supporting the couple in a “less formal capacity”.

Buckingham Palace said: “I know Their Majesties are deeply grateful to Sir Clive for his tireless support and wise counsel over the years.”

The royal aide played a pivotal role in ensuring Charles’s smooth transition from Prince of Wales to King.

He has kept pace with Charles, described as a “complete workaholic” by his wife, and over the years helped turn his ideas into action.

He is widely believed to be The Wasp referred to by Prince Harry in his memoir Spare.

Sir Clive told staff: “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.”

It comes as Prince Harry is to return to Britain in weeks — and he will again be offered a room by the King at Buckingham Palace.

The olive branch invite comes a few weeks after the 41-year-old Duke of Sussex did not stay there on his last visit.

His dithering is said to have seen Charles’ “patience snapped” as he ended up in private accommodation after leaving it too late to book a Palace room.

But the trip went on to finish on a high as Harry, wife Meghan and their children met Charles and Queen Camilla at Highgrove in a private family gathering.