Royal Aide Departs
King Charles's Senior Equerry Lieutenant Colonel Jonny Thompson Departs After 22 Years
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Key Points
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As Balaklava Company commander, Lt Col Jonny Thompson led the ceremonial and military support for Elizabeth II’s Balmoral residence in 2018 and 2019 (one of the regiment’s early deployments due to the 2006 formation of The Royal Regiment of Scotland).
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Thompson was among the first officers to serve in The Royal Regiment of Scotland after its formation in April 2006, signaling a notable early post-formation career path within the new regiment.
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His progression included being appointed equerry to the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall in December 2019, becoming the King’s equerry on accession in September 2022, and then being promoted to senior equerry to both the King and Queen in 2024.
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Thompson’s public profile included viral moments such as videos of him arriving at Buckingham Palace after the accession and assisting the monarch with his robes during the May 2023 Coronation, alongside an online fan following including an Instagram account dedicated to him and a notable meeting with Martha Stewart in New York.
Lieutenant Colonel Jonny Thompson, the King's senior equerry, is stepping down from the Royal Household at the end of the year after nearly 22 years in the British Army. The 43-year-old Yahoo News, who has been a high-profile aide to King Charles III and Queen Camilla since 2022, plans to pursue a career in the private sector. His departure marks part of a broader wave of exits from the King's inner circle as the royal household enters a period of transition.
Thompson rose to prominence not just for his ceremonial duties but also for his viral moments online, including videos of him at the Coronation and interactions at royal events. Buckingham Palace confirmed the decision and thanked him for seven years of dedicated support to the monarchy. His exit follows recent announcements that other key aides will step back in the coming years.
A Military Career Spanning Two Decades
Thompson began his military journey at Sandhurst in 2006, making him one of the first officers to serve in The Royal Regiment of Scotland after its formation that same year. His 22-year career included active deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, where he gained real combat experience beyond ceremonial duties. This background shaped him into a trusted aide for the royal family's most visible moments.
Before joining the King's household, Thompson served as equerry to the Prince and Princess of Wales starting in December 2019. When King Charles acceded to the throne in September 2022, Thompson transitioned to become the King's equerry. He was then promoted to senior equerry to both the King and Queen in 2024, a role that placed him at the heart of royal operations.
The Rise of the 'Hot Equerry' Online
Thompson gained unexpected celebrity status through viral social media moments. Videos of him assisting the King with his robes during the May 2023 Coronation and footage of him at Buckingham Palace sparked widespread online attention. He attracted a notable cult following, complete with dedicated Instagram accounts and fan engagement that extended far beyond typical royal household staff.
His public profile reached new heights during the April 2026 state visit to the United States, where he featured prominently alongside the King and Queen. High-profile encounters, including a meeting with Martha Stewart in New York, further cemented his status as one of the most recognizable members of the royal inner circle in the modern era.
A Changing Royal Household Faces New Transitions
Thompson's departure is part of a broader reshuffling within King Charles III's team. KMFM reported that the household anticipates multiple exits from the King's inner circle as senior aides seek new opportunities. These transitions reflect the pressures of modern royal service, where ceremonial duties meet constant public visibility through digital platforms.
Other key figures like Sir Clive Alderton and Bernie Flannery have also announced plans to step back in the coming years. The household must now recruit and train successors who can balance traditional royal protocols with the new reality of viral moments and social media scrutiny that defines palace life in 2025.
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