5 MINS AGO: King Charles Made a Shocking Announcement After Losing Another Key Staff Member of 40 Years in Less Than a Month.

King Charles loses another key staff member of 40 years in less than a month

The King’s long-serving member of staff is finally saying goodbye to the Palace.

King Charles has had to wave goodbye to two long-serving members of staff (Image: Getty)

One of King Charles’s most loyal members of staff has left his role after more than 40 years of service to the Royal Family. Throughout his impressive four-decade career, Bernie Flannery had a front-row seat to various royal marriages and divorces, as well as landmark events such as the death of Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles’s accession.

Award-winning royal author Robert Jobson shared the news of Mr Flannery’s departure. He wrote: “Bernie Flannery leaves the King’s personal staff this weekend. The loyal butler is the latest of His Majesty’s team to leave his side, after more than forty years at his beck and call.” Mr Jobson paid warm tribute to the departing butler, describing him as “the most loyal of the loyal”, before wishing him a peaceful retirement.

The King has lost two key members of staff (Image: Getty)

Mr Flannery began his royal career aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia before moving into the future King’s personal service in the early 1990s. He made such a strong impression, in fact, that when Charles and Diana separated in 1992, both requested that Mr Flannery be added to their respective staff lists. Mr Flannery ultimately remained with the King, reportedly at the royal’s own insistence.

Mr Flannery’s departure comes just weeks after the news that King Charles’s long-serving private secretary, Sir Clive Alderton, will also retire next year to coincide with his 60th birthday next May.

Sir Clive has held the prestigious role for 11 years and has been in royal service for a total of 20 years.

Speaking about his impending departure, which will coincide with his 60th birthday next year, Mr Alderton said: “It has been the greatest imaginable honour to serve The King and Queen in my present role through such historic times and with unforgettable humour along the way. That support will continue, in a less formal capacity, for all of my life.”