After years of preparation, Charles assumed the position of King, delivering a well-received speech that expressed his love for his mother and his commitment to serve the country with devotion and respect.
While Charles embraced his new role, long-time employees found themselves facing a different and less desirable fate - unemployment.
With the Queen at Buckingham Palace, Charles at Clarence House, and Prince William at Kensington Palace, the monarchy was undergoing a transition from an organization with three distinct centers of authority to one with only two. As a result, job redundancies were inevitable. However, the sudden and abrupt announcement of the layoffs left a bitter taste in the mouths of many.
Four days into the formal mourning period, 100 employees at Clarence House received letters notifying them of potential layoffs. Similarly, the late Queen's personal assistants at Buckingham Palace were informed that they would be losing their jobs. The delivery of this news, so soon after the Queen's passing, deeply upset the affected employees.
Sir Clive Alderton, Charles's Chief Private Secretary, wrote the notification to the Clarence House staff, acknowledging the upsetting nature of the news. According to a source, the entire team, including personal secretaries, was furious. The news came as a shock, with every member of the staff working late into the night since Thursday to prepare for this transition.
Reports suggest that the anger within the family was not directed toward the King himself but rather stemmed from the challenges of maintaining two separate houses and the significant differences in the roles they would now perform. However, the manner and timing of the announcement were deemed inadequate, failing to consider the human aspect and focusing solely on financial considerations.
To accommodate as many employees as possible, Clarence House pledged to explore alternative positions and provide improved redundancy payouts. Nevertheless, negotiating the terms of departure might prove challenging for some employees.
One individual who found herself in a precarious situation was Angela Telly, who had been closest to the late Queen in her final years, surpassing even those outside her immediate family. Telly, formerly Elizabeth's dresser, had become much more to the Queen. She acted as her personal assistant, advisor, curator of jewelry and wardrobe, confidante, and friend. Telly resided in Windsor Castle on the same floor as the Queen's personal corridors, in the Augusta Tower.
Telly had expected to live in her promised cottage in Windsor Home Park for the rest of her life after the Queen's passing. However, the new palace administration had different plans. Shortly after the Queen's demise, locks were changed in the Queen's Apartments, indicating a shift in the approach taken by the new government. It became clear that Telly's continued residence in her grace and favor mansion did not align with the new regime's intentions.
Subsequently, discussions took place proposing that the King buy her a house close to Sheffield so she could be near her grandchildren. Following these developments, Telly, aged 65, shared a photo of her garden on Instagram just before Finally bidding goodbye, the coronation marks a significant moment for Charles as he prepares to move to his new residence, which he can finally call his own home. When asked about her plans, Angela Telly, who recently relocated, mentioned that she is moving to the Peak District, not far from Sheffield, ensuring she remains close to her family. Although her work phone has been disconnected, she expressed her excitement for new adventures.
In a tweet, Telly hinted at her challenging interactions with some members of the royal family. It appears that her disagreements extended beyond Prince Harry. She candidly expressed, "I am too old to worry about who likes me or dislikes me. I have more important things to do. If you love me, I love you. If you support me, I support you. If you hate me, I don't care."
Upon her passing, the King will return the house he built for her in Yorkshire to the crown. While not everyone may have been fond of Angela, the King wanted to ensure she was not left in need. It seems that the King preferred not to have her as his neighbor.
Following the Queen's demise, Angela Telly was not the only one who realized her time was over. Sir Edward Young has been serving as the Queen's personal secretary since 2017, understanding that his future prospects are uncertain. Charles appointed his own man, Alderton, during the transitional period to facilitate a smooth handover. While Young and Alderton held the titles of private secretaries, Alderton being the principal private secretary, it was clear who held the true authority. Eventually, Young will be on his way as well.
Alderton received a peerage and warm words on his last day at work, after nearly two decades of being a wonderful friend and co-worker during the late Queen's reign. The loss of his presence will be greatly felt.
Prince Harry's book, "Spare," provided insight into his opinions regarding private secretaries within the monarchy. In discussing the flaws of the system, he targeted three individuals: Young, Alderton, and Simon Case, Prince William's personal secretary. He referred to them as the bee, the wasp, and the fly, respectively. The nicknames reflect Harry's sentiment toward each individual, highlighting his dislike for Alderton the most.
Harry described Alderton as the wasp, emphasizing his lanky yet haughty and energetic demeanor. However, he claimed that Alderton would retaliate if pushed back against or disagreed with, swiftly striking with his metaphorical stinger. These nicknames, though entertaining and seemingly catchy, were not used by Harry while he was still in Britain, leading some to question their authenticity.
The references to government and media as "wormy intestines" and the imaginative language employed in the book appear to be more the work of Harry's ghostwriter, possibly aiming to add excitement to the story.
These alterations seem detached from the prince's actual experiences. The three confidential secretaries were initially referred to as the Three Amigos, not insects, but the narrative evolved into a play on egos. While they served as antagonists in the story, their impact may not have been as powerful as the metaphoric vehicles of the bee, fly, and wasp.
