Home Australia Charles’ new wingman! As King’s ‘hot equerry’, Lt Col Jonathan Thompson, steps aside, meet the former Navy hot shot, 37, who’s filling his shoes

Charles’ new wingman! As King’s ‘hot equerry’, Lt Col Jonathan Thompson, steps aside, meet the former Navy hot shot, 37, who’s filling his shoes

by Elijah
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This week, Lieutenant Commander Will Thornton, far left, was seen the king's new equerry announcing the prime minister's arrival at Clarence House during Rishi Sunak's meeting with the monarch on Wednesday.

This week it was revealed that 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.

Nicknamed the ‘hot squire’ during his time working for the monarch, Lieutenant Colonel Thompson was once one of the late Queen’s most senior bodyguards and had served Her Majesty since assuming the throne in 2022.

On Wednesday, his replacement, Lieutenant Commander Will Thornton, enjoyed his first public appearance in his role during the King’s meeting with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at Clarence House.

Lieutenant Commander Thornton, 37, dressed in military uniform, announced the Prime Minister’s arrival to the King ahead of their face-to-face meeting on Wednesday.

This week, Lieutenant Commander Will Thornton, far left, was seen the king's new equerry announcing the prime minister's arrival at Clarence House during Rishi Sunak's meeting with the monarch on Wednesday.

This week, Lieutenant Commander Will Thornton, far left, was seen the king’s new equerry announcing the prime minister’s arrival at Clarence House during Rishi Sunak’s meeting with the monarch on Wednesday.

The latest addition to the monarch's royal household (pictured far right) is a former Royal Navy helicopter pilot.

The latest addition to the monarch's royal household (pictured far right) is a former Royal Navy helicopter pilot.

The latest addition to the monarch’s royal household (pictured far right) is a former Royal Navy helicopter pilot.

The 37-year-old will help the King with his daily tasks, being by his side at public events and looking after the monarch's carriages, coaches and Rolls-Royces used at state ceremonies.

The 37-year-old will help the King with his daily tasks, being by his side at public events and looking after the monarch's carriages, coaches and Rolls-Royces used at state ceremonies.

The former Royal Navy helicopter pilot pictured at Clarence House this week with Rishi SunaK

The former Royal Navy helicopter pilot pictured at Clarence House this week with Rishi SunaK

The 37-year-old will help the monarch (left, and with the Prime Minister on the right) with his daily tasks, standing by his side at public events and looking after the monarch’s carriages, coaches and Rolls-Royces used in ceremonies state.

1708749187 577 Charles new wingman As Kings hot equerry Lt Col Jonathan

1708749187 577 Charles new wingman As Kings hot equerry Lt Col Jonathan

The King’s former equerry, Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Thompson (pictured March 2023), has been moved to a “less public role” after he was reportedly not enjoying the public attention he had been receiving, they claimed sources.

Last month, the King, who is currently being treated for cancer, appointed the first equerry to the royal household, Captain Kat Anderson.

Captain Anderson will work alongside Lieutenant Commander Thornton in the role of squire, which requires help the King in his daily duties, standing by his side at public events and looking after the monarch’s carriages, coaches and Rolls-Royces used at state ceremonies.

Lieutenant Commander Thornton, 37, is a member of the Fleet Air Arm and comes from a proud naval family.

His father, Mike, flew as a Royal Navy pilot for 34 years before taking on a civilian role as a military aircraft pilot.

And his son is just as skilled behind the controls of a Lynx helicopter, having gotten his wings in 2014.

Lieutenant Commander Thornton with his father Mike, who served for 34 years as a Royal Navy pilot.

Lieutenant Commander Thornton with his father Mike, who served for 34 years as a Royal Navy pilot.

Lieutenant Commander Thornton with his father Mike, who served for 34 years as a Royal Navy pilot.

Another new addition to the Royal Household is Captain Kat Anderson, 33 (pictured), a Royal Artillery officer who previously worked for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Another new addition to the Royal Household is Captain Kat Anderson, 33 (pictured), a Royal Artillery officer who previously worked for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Another new addition to the Royal Household is Captain Kat Anderson, 33 (pictured), a Royal Artillery officer who previously worked for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Meanwhile, Captain Anderson, 33, is a Royal Artillery officer who previously worked for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

She will be the King’s new assistant equerry and will help oversee the running of the monarchy’s official engagement diary, while joining members of the royal family on public duties and global tours.

Often described as the royal “eyes and ears”, squires are considered extremely important figures to the functioning of the monarchy.

Captain Anderson’s job will allow her to join the King on official engagements and assist his guests during meetings with dignitaries. She will also assist the King in military matters.

Captain Anderson's job will allow her to join King Charles on official engagements and serve his guests during audiences and meetings with dignitaries.

Captain Anderson's job will allow her to join King Charles on official engagements and serve his guests during audiences and meetings with dignitaries.

Captain Anderson’s job will allow her to join King Charles on official engagements and serve his guests during audiences and meetings with dignitaries.

The new assistant squire became a member of King Charles’ team in January on secondment from the Cabinet Office and No 10, where she played a role as deputy private secretary to the national security advisers, the sunday time reported.

She was also Mr Sunak’s aide-de-camp or “military assistant”.

Captain Anderson will work alongside Captain Hugh Scrope of the Coldstream Guards, the King’s other assistant private secretary.

It is understood that Captain Anderson, who is of mixed Malaysian descent, will be seen alongside the King for the first time in the coming weeks.

She is the first squire to serve a monarch, but she is not the first squire to assist a member of the royal family.

Charles appointed RAF squadron leader Jayne Casebury as his equerry in the early 2000s, when he was still Prince of Wales.

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