Mr Payne steps down as Camilla’s private secretary, Amanda McManus, returns from a year-long sabbatical.
The Duchess of Cornwall’s aide is also said to have pushed Camilla to champion unfashionable causes, such as supporting domestic abuse survivors and adult literacy.
Ms McManus was assistant private secretary to the Duchess since 2005, before becoming Camilla’s principal aide in 2015.
Bill Coles, royal commentator, said the Duchess and her aides “played an absolute blinder” in improving her public image.
He said in 2013: “Since she married Prince Charles she has not set a foot out of line.”
