King Charles is facing renewed attention over his past connection with Jimmy Savile. The scrutiny comes as Buckingham Palace prepares to find a new principal private secretary for the monarch. It follows claims that Savile once had unusual access to Charles’ royal circle. The report also revisits claims that Savile advised Charles on both personal and professional matters.
King Charles’ alleged relationship with Jimmy Savile is back under scrutiny as his palace inner circle changes
According to RadarOnline.com, Sir Clive Alderton plans to leave his role as Charles’ principal private secretary. Buckingham Palace has promised an “open and rigorous” process to choose his replacement. The staff change has brought fresh attention to an earlier period in Charles’ life. Savile is said to have had extraordinary access to the future king during that time.
One source within the royal household told the outlet that Savile was more than just a celebrity acquaintance. The source said Savile could enter royal circles with unusual freedom and speak directly to Charles. “Savile had a remarkable level of access to the royal world during that period,” the source said. The source also said Charles may have found Savile’s unconventional style entertaining.
Charles and Savile first met in the late 1970s through wheelchair sports charities. Their relationship reportedly grew close enough for Savile to attend Charles’ 40th birthday celebrations in 1988. The outlet said Savile also met Sir Christopher Airy before Airy became Charles’ private secretary in 1990. Airy later said, “I don’t think it is my place to comment” when asked about Savile’s involvement.
Savile also reportedly became involved as Charles’ marriage to Princess Diana faced serious problems in 1990. Dickie Arbiter, a former press secretary for Queen Elizabeth II who also worked with Charles and Diana, described Savile’s role as informal. “Savile was brought in by an aide as a sort of ‘Jim’ll Fix It’ to fix the state of the marriage,” Arbiter said. He added that Savile’s involvement “didn’t work.”
Ken Wharfe, a former protection officer for Diana, also said that Savile would show up at royal events unannounced. “Savile used to just turn up at Kensington Palace and at functions,” Wharfe said. Charles maintained contact with Savile after that time. He accepted an invitation to dinner at Savile’s Glencoe home in 1999 and later sent him a Christmas card.
Savile died in 2011 at age 84. Investigations after his death identified hundreds of victims and exposed the scale of his sexual offending. Charles later said he felt “incredibly saddened” by Savile’s death.
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