Clerk of the Privy Council (United Kingdom)

The Clerk to the Privy Council is a civil servant in the Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom, being Head of the Privy Council Office.

This historic office is less powerful nowadays than it once was and than its Canadian equivalent, whose holder serves ex officio as Head of the Canadian Civil Service, whereas these roles in the UK have been divided between the Cabinet Secretary and the Head of HM Civil Service.

Until 1859 there were multiple - usually four - clerks to the Privy Council. Three of the four positions then extant were progressively abolished in the 19th century until only one remained in 1859.

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