Eagle-eyed royal fans may have noticed that a certain kilt-clad equerry hasn't been far from King Charles side over the last few weeks.
Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Thompson has built up quite the fanbase after being thrust into the spotlight alongside the royals. The "hunky" and "handsome" aide has been at the constant side of the King to assist him during the early days of his reign, and seems to have earned a promotion.
The 39-year-old was by the King's side as he welcomed Rishi Sunak to Buckingham Palace this week, before he was formally appointed Prime Minister by the Monarch.
He was spotted shaking hands with the new PM in the forecourt alongside Sir Clive Alderton, principal private secretary to the King and Sir Edward Young, joint principal private secretary to the King, reports the Mirror.
The lieutenant colonel is from the 5th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland and is often seen wearing a traditional kilt. He previously worked for the late Queen too.
As an equerry, Johnny is responsible for the detailed planning and execution of the monarch’s daily programmes. This includes looking after carriages, coaches and Rolls-Royces used at state ceremonies, including Trooping the Colour and the state opening of Parliament.
Outside of his work for the Royal Family, Thompson lives in Surrey with his family. He married his marketing manager wife Caroline, in 2010, and they have a four-year-old son.
Now that the equerry is back in the spotlight alongside the King, royal fans couldn't help but notice that rather than being described as a major, the equerry was described as Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Thompson - a jump in his rank.
One on Twitter said: "Never a chore to see Major Johnny Thompson at the Palace in his kilt. That man is handsome as. He's got a promotion, which is great but he will always be our Major Johnny Thompson." While another added: "I think Major Johnny has had an upgrade, I’ve just read Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Thompson, how exciting is that!!"
Meanwhile, other fans of the equerry took to social media to voice their delight in seeing him at Buckingham Palace, where he also greeted Liz Truss as she arrived to formally tender her resignation. One fan said: "Major Johnny Thompson now on the tele … gosh he looks SMART!"
Another tweeted: "Major Johnny Thompson is wearing his uniform as he is in the 5th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland & is King Charles III's equerry. The kilt is his uniform but he looks just as lush in a lounge suit." While another wrote: "Our King is such a lucky man to have Johnny as his equerry."
Equerries are drawn from the armed forces and are required to assist the royals both inside their residences and when out and about on public engagements.
Since being thrust into the spotlight, he has developed a strong online following with many swooning over him. One fan previously wrote on Twitter : "Major Jonny Thompson is a tremendous hunk!"
Another remarked: "We need more footage of the rather handsome kilted Major Jonny Thompson." While one said: "I think I’m getting a wee crush on King Charles‘s new royal equerry."
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