King Charles loses another key staff member of 40 years in less than a month
The King’s long-serving member of staff is finally saying goodbye to the Palace.
One of King Charles’s most loyal members of staff has left his role after more than 40 years of service to the Royal Family. Throughout his impressive four-decade career, Bernie Flannery had a front-row seat to various royal marriages and divorces, as well as landmark events such as the death of Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles’s accession.
Award-winning royal author Robert Jobson shared the news of Mr Flannery’s departure. He wrote: “Bernie Flannery leaves the King’s personal staff this weekend. The loyal butler is the latest of His Majesty’s team to leave his side, after more than forty years at his beck and call.” Mr Jobson paid warm tribute to the departing butler, describing him as “the most loyal of the loyal”, before wishing him a peaceful retirement.
Mr Flannery began his royal career aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia before moving into the future King’s personal service in the early 1990s. He made such a strong impression, in fact, that when Charles and Diana separated in 1992, both requested that Mr Flannery be added to their respective staff lists. Mr Flannery ultimately remained with the King, reportedly at the royal’s own insistence.
Mr Flannery’s departure comes just weeks after the news that King Charles’s long-serving private secretary, Sir Clive Alderton, will also retire next year to coincide with his 60th birthday next May.
Sir Clive has held the prestigious role for 11 years and has been in royal service for a total of 20 years.
Speaking about his impending departure, which will coincide with his 60th birthday next year, Mr Alderton 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.”
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said that the King and Queen 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”.
The Duke of Sussex is known to have referred to Sir Clive in his bombshell memoir Spare as “the wasp”.
Sir Clive has pledged to remain committed to ensuring a seamless handover to whoever takes on the position. It has been reported that applicants will be considered internally and externally.
Those close to Sir Clive have commanded his dedication to his role, with one close friend adding that he will soon be spending “more time with his own family, rather than the Royal Family”.
As well as helping his transition from the former Prince of Wales to monarch, he has also been present for the scandal involving the King’s brother, Andrew Moubtbatten-Windsor, and the end of Elizabeth II’s reign.
