Prince Harrys The Wasp rival stepping down but may remain 'a voice in the kings ear': expert

King Charles right-hand man is stepping down next year, but his departure may not end his influence behind palace doors. Royal experts told Fox News Digital that "The Wasp" could remain "a voice in the kings ear" as Charles continues to navigate his fractured relationship with Prince Harry.

Sir Clive Alderton will step down as principal private secretary next year, People magazine reported. His departure will coincide with his 60th birthday after 20 years of service to the royal household.

In his 2023 memoir, "Spare," Harry gave three powerful royal household staffers pointed insect nicknames. Alderton is widely believed to have been "The Wasp" — a fiercely loyal operator and uncompromising defender of the crown.

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"Though Alderton is stepping away from his formal role, courtiers often retain a channel of influence at the palace long after their formal departure," royal commentator Amanda Matta told Fox News Digital.

"Its possible that The Wasp, or others like him, could remain a voice in the kings ear regardless of their employment status," Matta said.

"I think their hesitancy with Harry is rooted in not wanting to perpetuate any perceived chaos or scandal within the royal fold. After years of dealing with and the fallout from Harry and Meghans departure for the U.S., it doesnt really matter what Harrys intentions are. He might be seen as a threat by the kings aides on principle."

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"These truly are power brokers at the palace — the people who decide on access, influence and narratives long before the public hears about them," Matta added.

On July 10, King Charles reunited privately with Harry and his family at Highgrove House as they continued efforts to repair a rift that has persisted since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back .

Harrys portrait of "The Wasp" came with plenty of sting.

"The Wasp was lanky, charming, arrogant, a ball of jazzy energy," he wrote, as quoted by People magazine. "He was great at pretending to be polite, even servile. Youd assert a fact, something seemingly incontrovertible — I believe the sun rises in the mornings — and hed stammer that perchance you might consider for a comment the possibility that youd been misinformed: Well, heh-heh, I dont know about that, Your Royal Highness, you see, it all depends what you mean by mornings, sir."

"Because he seemed so weedy, so self-effacing, you might be tempted to push back, insist on your point, and that was when hed put you on his list," Harry continued. "A short time later, without warning, hed give you such a stab with his outsized stinger that youd cry in confusion. Where the f--- did that come from?"

"Harry has long reserved choice words for palace aides whom he has seen as adding to familial tensions," Matta explained. "So he likely does feel a degree of frustration with his fathers entire circle, and that of his grandmother's, the late Queen Elizabeth II, who he previously noted were blocking his access to the queen. But its clear that Alderton, in particular, got under his skin with his outwardly self-effacing manner that could turn treacherous once you walked away."

Matta noted that in 2022, Harry said in a televised interview that he was "just making sure that shes protected and got the right people around her," referring . Matta said that comment was taken as "an early dig" at her advisors, including Alderton.

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