Now Charles loses right-hand man in royal palaces exodus

WHAT on earth is going on behind the scenes at the royal palaces? Following the departures of a string of key officials, I can reveal that Prince Charles and Camilla are to lose their right-hand man.

Mark Leishman, who has been at the side of the heir to the throne since 2003, has dramatically quit. A Clarence House spokesman confirms: ‘Mark Leishman has left the household after a period of more than 14 years.’

The Prince’s private secretary, whose motto is: ‘If you can’t stand the pressure go home and start a stamp collection’ — a reference to his own childhood hobby — is the grandson of Lord Reith, the first director-general of the BBC.

The 55-year- old is married to Fiona Nairn, ex-wife of top chef Nick Nairn, and is pictured being made a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order by Charles at Buckingham Palace in 2010.

When Leishman was poached from the BBC, where he was head of public policy, one newspaper headline read: ‘Can this man save Prince Charles?’

A royal source says Leishman ‘wanted to move on to new opportunities’, but his departure comes at a time of great turmoil for ‘the Firm’.

First to announce his resignation was the Queen’s right- hand man, Sir Christopher Geidt.

He was followed by Her Majesty’s assistant private secretary, Samantha Cohen. The Duchess of Cambridge’s private secretary, Rebecca Deacon, and the Keeper of the Privy Purse, Sir Alan Reid, are also clearing their desks.

Prince Harry’s private secretary, Edward Lane Fox, is said to be considering his options.

The shake-up comes as the Queen, 91, and Prince Philip, 96, step back from frontline duties, leaving younger royals to take up the slack — or Operation Handover, as it is said to be known.