Palace ‘hatchet man’ is saved from the axe
SIR Edward Young, the Queen’s Private Secretary, will be kept in post by King Charles III.
Known in Palace corridors as a ‘hatchet man’ for his ability to deliver bad news, particularly relating to job cuts, it is thought that his skills will come in handy.
The new King, who is served by Private Secretary Sir Clive Alderton, already has a challenge on his hands.
Last week it emerged that dozens of Clarence House staff had been notified of redundancies during a service held for the Queen at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh.
Up to 100 employees of the King’s former official residence were told that they could lose their jobs.
Many staff, some of whom have worked there for decades, had hoped that they would be amalgamated into the King’s new office.
But while some will be deployed elsewhere, others are likely to be made redundant. A letter sent to staff from Sir Clive reportedly said: ‘I appreciate that this is unsettling news and I wanted to let you know of the support that is available at this point.’
He added that staff providing ‘direct, close, personal support and advice’ to the new King and Queen Consort would remain in post.
It is understood that a consultation period will begin after the Queen’s funeral today.
Sir Edward, 55, joined the Royal Household in 2004, serving as the Queen’s Assistant and then Deputy Private Secretary before being promoted to his current post in 2017.
He was responsible for overseeing the ‘Megxit’ deal struck with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex when they left their working roles within the Royal Family to live in the US.