King Charles’ ‘hot equerry’, Lt Col Jonathan Thompson, who became an internet phenomenon during the coronation, is being moved to a ‘less public role’ at Buckingham Palace after he ‘didn’t enjoy the attention’

The King’s handsome equerry, Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Thompson, has been moved to a ‘less public role’ after reportedly not enjoying the public attention he has received.

Lieutenant Colonel Thompson, dubbed ‘the hot equerry’ on social media, was once one of the late Queen’s most senior bodyguards and now serves His Majesty.

He first won admirers at the Queen’s funeral and gained a legion of fans thanks to his brooding appearance, but inadvertently rose to fame during Charles’s coronation.

The so-called ‘Major Eye Candy’ has since regularly accompanied the King and Royal Family and even joined their procession to church at Sandringham on Christmas Day last year.

But Lieutenant Colonel Thompson, 40, was conspicuously absent on Tuesday when Charles met with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

A Palace source has now said this The times that while he remains ‘senior equerry to the King and Queen’, Lieutenant Colonel Thompson will take on a ‘more executive and less public role’.

Lieutenant Colonel Thompson, nicknamed ‘the hot equerry’ on social media, was once one of the late Queen’s most senior bodyguards and now serves His Majesty. He became famous unintentionally during Charles’ coronation (pictured)

The so-called ‘Major Eye Candy’ has since regularly accompanied the King and Royal Family and even joined their procession to church at Sandringham on Christmas Day last year (pictured)

Lieutenant Colonel Thompson’s role as Equerry – an officer of the Royal Household who assists members of the Royal Family – involved assisting the King with his daily duties, standing by his side at public events and looking after the carriages, carriages and Rolls -Royces of the monarch took care of it. used in state ceremonies.

But insiders suggest his role has changed because he did not enjoy the public attention he received after attending several high-profile events with Charles.

Instead, he will now help the monarch with his private affairs and “carry out his duties away from the public eye.”

MailOnline has contacted Buckingham Palace for comment.

Lieutenant Colonel Thompson has had a relationship with the Royal Family for several years. He has been part of the 5th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland since 2006 and was previously the late Queen.

The officer became the object of the affection of royal guards last year after taking center stage at historic royal events following the Queen’s death.

He was captured on camera calmly and coolly removing a pencil tray that was cluttering the king’s desk as Charles signed the proclamation appointing him as the new monarch.

He was also seen in the procession as the Queen’s coffin was escorted from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall for the four days he lay in state.

He greeted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during his trip to Britain in February last year and accompanied then Prime Minister Liz Truss to a meeting with the king at Buckingham Palace in October 2022.

He was also seen standing behind Harry and Meghan at the Platinum Jubilee National Service of Thanksgiving celebrations at St Paul’s Cathedral in June 2022.

Lieutenant Colonel Thompson (right) is pictured with the late Queen last year as she inspected the Balaclava Company, the 5th Battalion of 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, set pulses 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 popular belief that he is Scottish, Lieutenant Colonel Thompson was actually born in Morpeth, Northumberland, and now lives with his family in Surrey.

He joined the Army in 2006 and is a platoon commander, according to his LinkedIn. It is believed he has worked as an equerry for Charles for the past two years.

His profile also shows how he attended Aberystwyth University, graduating in 2004 with a degree in economics and politics with international studies.

He listed his hobbies and interests as rugby and mountaineering and he was also a member of the Undergraduate Officer Training Corps.

Earlier this month it was reported that Lieutenant Colonel Thompson, who split from his wife two years ago, has found ‘new love’ with 33-year-old PR manager Olivia Lewis.

The pair are said to have met while Mrs Lewis worked for the King and Queen Camilla.