Welcome to this week’s edition of to get all the latest royal news and gossip with Tom Sykes and Tim Teeman.
Sting of the Wasp
Prince Harry famously described, in his memoir, King Charles’ private secretary, Sir Clive Alderton, as “The Wasp,” saying that if you annoyed him you’d be be “put on his list.” Harry said that, “A short time later, without warning, he’d give you such a stab, with his outsize stinger that you’d cry out in pain and confusion, ‘Where the fuck did that come from?’”
Alderton—who was not name by Harry but was identified by the Times’ royal correspondent Valentine Low as The Wasp—is said not to have been entirely displeased with the characterization.
Whether or not The Wasp was behind a strike this week on former government minister—Home Secretary no less—Priti Patel is unconfirmed, but Patel has certainly been stung after an unwise interaction with Alderon.
She was forced to issue a groveling apology to Charles this week for causing “embarrassment and difficulties,” after writing a letter to Ravec—the body tasked with deciding which individuals should get what level of royal protection—urging it to review Prince Andrew’s protection. Andrew no longer gets taxpayer funded protection, but has been lobbying to get it back, and appears to have recruited Patel to his cause.
Britain’s Prince Andrew, Duke of York attends the Royal Family’s Christmas Day service at St. Mary Magdalene’s church, as the Royals take residence at the Sandringham estate in eastern England, Britain December 25, 2022.
REUTERS/Toby Melville
Patel wrote to Alderton, suggesting that Andrew’s case should be reviewed, an email that was promptly leaked to the Sun.
After Patel’s email to Alderton was leaked, she told the Sun: “It is disappointing that this correspondence has been leaked into the public domain and I apologize to His Majesty for the embarrassment and difficulties the publishing of this correspondence has caused.”
According to the Telegraph, one source, described as being “familiar with the situation,” said: “It is outrageous that an email sent in confidence about sensitive security matters should be leaked less than a week after it was written. All she did was suggest that decisions made by Ravec about the security arrangements for high-profile individuals should have proper political accountability and be kept under review.
“Dame Priti has been thrown under a bus for simply raising a matter of process. Is she not entitled to express her view?…This leak could only have come from an official inside the palace, the Home Office or Ravec to warn off anyone – including the former home secretary – from asking serious questions about security policy. And this from the people employed to keep us and the Royal family safe? They should be ashamed.”
Alderton, the Telegraph has previously claimed, is a member of the secretive Ravec committee.
Princess Diana and Prince Charles look in different directions, November 3, during a service held to commemorate the 59 British soldiers killed in action during the Korean War, Nov. 3, 1992.
REUTERS//File Photo
This week in royal history
On August 28, 1996 Prince Charles and Princess Diana were officially divorced; while on August 31, 1989 Princess Anne officially separated from first husband Captain Mark Phililps.
Unanswered questions
Is “meghan” back on Instagram, and if so will it become a moneyspinner for her? Will Michael Fawcett ever return to royal service?
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