- Lt Col Jonathan Thompson will now ‘assist King Charles along with his non-public affairs’
The King’s good-looking equerry Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Thompson has been moved to a ‘much less public-facing function’ after he reportedly didn’t benefit from the public consideration he had been receiving.
Lt Col Thompson, dubbed ‘the new equerry’ on social media, was as soon as one of many late Queen‘s most senior bodyguards and now serves His Majesty.
He first received over admirers on the Queen’s funeral, gaining a legion of followers due to his brooding attractiveness, however shot to unintentional fame throughout Charles’ coronation.
The so-called ‘Major Eye Candy’ has since usually accompanied the King and Royal Family and even joined their procession to church at Sandringham on Christmas Day final yr.
But Lt Col Thompson, 40, was noticeably absent on Tuesday when Charles had his assembly with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
A Palace supply has since informed The Times that whereas he ‘stays senior equerry to the King and the Queen,’ Lt Col Thompson will probably be serving in a ‘extra govt and fewer public-facing function’.
Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Thompson (pictured in March 2023) has been moved to a ‘much less public-facing function’ after he reportedly didn’t benefit from the public consideration he had been receiving, sources have claimed
Lt Col Thompson, dubbed as ‘the new equerry’ on social media, was as soon as one of many late Queen’s most senior bodyguards and now serves His Majesty. He shot to unintentional fame throughout Charles’ coronation (pictured)
The so-called ‘Major Eye Candy’ has since usually accompanied the King and royal household and even joined their procession to church at Sandringham on Christmas Day final yr (pictured)
Lt Col Thompson’s function as an equerry – an officer of the royal family who assists members of the royal household – concerned helping the King along with his day by day duties, standing beside him at public occasions and taking care of the monarch’s carriages, coaches, and Rolls-Royces used at state ceremonies.
But insiders counsel his function has modified as a result of he was not having fun with the general public consideration he obtained after attending a number of high-profile occasions with Charles.
He will now as a substitute assist the monarch along with his non-public affairs and ‘perform his duties away from the general public eye’.
MailOnline has approached Buckingham Palace for remark.
Lt Col Thompson has had a relationship with the royal household for a number of years. He has been one of many fifth Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland since 2006 and beforehand served because the late Queen.
The officer turned an object of royal watchers’ affections final yr after he was thrust front-and-centre at historic Royal occasions following the Queen’s loss of life.
He was caught on digital camera calmly and coolly eradicating a pen tray which was cluttering the King’s desk, as Charles signed the Proclamation which named him as the brand new monarch.
He was additionally seen within the procession when the Queen’s coffin was escorted from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall for the 4 days of mendacity in state.
He greeted Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky throughout his journey to the UK in February final yr and escorted then-Prime Minister Liz Truss to satisfy the King at Buckingham Palace in October 2022.
He was additionally noticed standing behind Harry and Meghan on the Platinum Jubilee celebration National Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral in June 2022.
Lt Col Thompson (proper) is pictured with the late Queen final yr as she inspected the Balaclava Company, fifth Battalion of The Royal Regiment of Scotland, on the gates at Balmoral as she took up summer time residence on the fort
The King’s good-looking kilt-clad equerry, Lt Col Jonathan Thompson, left hearts racing after he proudly stood by the monarch’s facet throughout the Coronation
Lt Col Thompson welcomed then-PM Liz Truss to Buckingham Palace final autumn
Lt Col Thompson welcomed Rishi Sunak to at Buckingham Palace final October forward of his viewers with King Charles, the place he was invited to grow to be Prime Minister
Contrary to most individuals believing he’s Scottish, Lt Col Thompson was truly born in Morpeth, Northumberland, and now lives along with his household in Surrey.
He joined the Army in 2006 and is a Platoon commander, in keeping with his LinkedIn. He is believed to have been working as an equerry with Charles for a minimum of the final two years.
His profile additionally reveals how he attended Aberystwyth University the place he graduated in 2004 with a level in Economics and politics with worldwide research.
He listed his hobbies and pursuits as rugby and mountaineering and he was additionally a member of the undergraduate officer coaching corps.
It was reported earlier this month that Lt Col Thompson, who had separated from his spouse two years in the past, has ‘discovered new love’ with 33-year-old PR govt Olivia Lewis.
The pair are understood to have met whereas Ms Lewis was working for the King and Queen Camilla.