The King’s handsome equerry, Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Thompson, has been moved to a “less public role” after he was reportedly not enjoying the public attention he had been receiving, sources have claimed.
Lieutenant Colonel Thompson, nicknamed “the hot squire” on social media, was once one of the late Queen’s most senior bodyguards and now serves Her Majesty.
He first won fans over at the Queen’s funeral, gaining a legion of admirers thanks to his disturbing good looks, but rose to unintentional fame during Charles’s coronation.
Since then, the so-called ‘Major Eye Candy’ has regularly accompanied the King and the royal family and even joined their procession to Sandringham Church on Christmas Day last year.
But Lieutenant Colonel Thompson, 40, was noticeably absent on Tuesday when Charles met Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
A Palace source has since said The times that while he “remains the King and Queen’s chief equerry”, Lieutenant Colonel Thompson will play a “more executive and less public role”.
Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Thompson (pictured March 2023) has been moved to a “less public role” after he reportedly did not enjoy the public attention he had been receiving, sources claimed.
Lieutenant Colonel Thompson, nicknamed “the hot squire” on social media, was once one of the late Queen’s most senior bodyguards and now serves Her Majesty. He unintentionally rose to fame during Charles’s coronation (pictured)
Since then, the so-called ‘Major Eye Candy’ has regularly accompanied the King and the royal family and even joined their procession to Sandringham Church on Christmas Day last year (pictured).
Lieutenant Colonel Thompson’s role as equerry (an official of the royal household who assists members of the royal family) involved assisting the king with his daily duties, being at his side at public events, and looking after the carriages, coaches and Rolls-Royces. Monarch Royces. used in state ceremonies.
But insiders allege that her role has changed because she did not enjoy the public attention she received after attending multiple high-profile events with Charles.
Now, however, he will help the monarch in his private affairs and “perform his duties away from the public eye.”
MailOnline has approached Buckingham Palace for comment via email.
Lieutenant Colonel Thompson has had a relationship with the royal family for several years. He has been a member of the 5th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland since 2006 and previously served as the late Queen.
The officer became the object of royal watchers’ affection last year after he was put front and center at historic royal events following the Queen’s death.
He was caught on camera calmly and coolly removing a tray of pens that was cluttered from the King’s desk, while Charles signed the Proclamation naming him the new monarch.
He was also seen in the procession when the Queen’s coffin was escorted from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall during the four days it lay in state.
He greeted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during his trip to the United Kingdom in February last year and accompanied then-Prime Minister Liz Truss to meet the king at Buckingham Palace in October 2022.
He was also seen standing behind Harry and Meghan at the Platinum Jubilee Celebration National Thanksgiving Service at St Paul’s Cathedral in June 2022.
Lieutenant-Colonel Thompson (right) is pictured with the late Queen last year while inspecting the Balaclava Company, 5th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, at the gates of Balmoral as she took up her summer residence at the castle.
The king’s handsome, kilt-clad equerry, Lieutenant-Colonel Jonathan Thompson, left hearts racing after standing proudly at the monarch’s side during the coronation.
Lieutenant Colonel Thompson welcomed then Prime Minister Liz Truss to Buckingham Palace last autumn.
Lieutenant Colonel Thompson welcomed Rishi Sunak to Buckingham Palace last October ahead of his audience with King Charles, where he was invited to become Prime Minister.
Contrary to what most people believe is Scottish, Lieutenant Colonel Thompson was actually born in Morpeth, Northumberland, and now lives with his family in Surrey.
He joined the military in 2006 and is a platoon commander, according to his LinkedIn. It is believed that he worked as a squire with Charles for at least the last two years.
His profile also reveals how he attended Aberystwyth University, graduating in 2004 with a BA in Economics and Politics with International Studies.
He listed his hobbies and interests as rugby and mountaineering and was also a member of the university officer training corps.
Earlier this month it was reported that Lieutenant Colonel Thompson, who had separated from his wife two years ago, “found new love” with public relations executive Olivia Lewis, 33.
It is understood the couple met while Ms Lewis was working for the King and Queen Camilla.