The king's handsome equerry, Lieutenant-Colonel Jonathan Thompson, was moved to a “less public role” after reportedly not enjoying the public attention he was receiving.
Lt. Col. 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 over his admirers at the Queen's funeral and won a legion of fans thanks to his brooding good looks, but gained unwanted fame during Charles' coronation.
The so-called “Major Eye Candy” has since regularly accompanied the king and the royal family and even took part in their procession to Sandringham church on Christmas Day last year.
But Lieutenant-Colonel Thompson, 40, was conspicuously absent on Tuesday when Charles had his meeting with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
A palace source has since told the Times that while Lt. Col. Thompson will “remain the King and Queen's chief equerry,” he will take on a “more senior and less public role.”
According to sources, Lt. Col. Jonathan Thompson (pictured in March 2023) was moved to a “less public role” after reportedly not enjoying the public attention he was receiving
Lt. Col. 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 gained unwanted fame during Charles' coronation (pictured)
The so-called “Major Eye Candy” has since regularly accompanied the king and the royal family and last year even took part in their procession to Sandringham church on Christmas Day (pictured).
Lieutenant-Colonel Thompson's role as equerry – an official of the royal household who assists members of the royal family – was to assist the king in his daily duties, assist him at public events and look after the carriages, carriages and Rolls-Royces used to take care of the monarch during state ceremonies.
However, insiders suspect his role changed because he didn't enjoy the public attention he received after attending several high-profile events with Charles.
He will now instead help the monarch with his private affairs and “perform his duties away from the public eye”.
Web has contacted Buckingham Palace for comment.
Lieutenant Colonel Thompson has had a relationship with the royal family for several years. He has been with the 5th Battalion of the Scottish Royal Regiment since 2006 and previously served as the late Queen.
The officer became the object of affection from royal watchers last year after he took center stage at historic royal events following the Queen's death.
The camera watched him calmly and coolly remove a pen tray that was cluttering the king's desk as Charles signed the proclamation naming him the new monarch.
He was also seen in the procession as the Queen's coffin was escorted from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall, where it lay in state for four days.
He greeted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during his trip to Britain 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 behind Harry and Meghan at the Platinum Jubilee National Service of Thanksgiving celebration 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, 5th Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, at the gates of Balmoral as they took up their summer residence at the castle
The King's handsome kilt-clad equerry, Lieutenant-Colonel Jonathan Thompson, set hearts racing after proudly standing by the monarch's side during the coronation
Lieutenant-Colonel Thompson welcomed then-Prime Minister Liz Truss to Buckingham Palace last autumn
Lieutenant-Colonel Thompson greeted Rishi Sunak at Buckingham Palace last October ahead of his audience with King Charles, where he was invited to become Prime Minister
Contrary to most people who believe he is Scottish, Lieutenant Colonel Thompson was actually born in Morpeth, Northumberland and now lives in Surrey with his family.
He joined the Army in 2006 and is a platoon leader, according to his LinkedIn account. He is believed to have worked as Charles's stable master for at least two years.
His profile also shows how he attended Aberystwyth University, where he graduated in 2004 with a degree in Economics and Politics with International Studies.
His hobbies and interests included rugby and mountaineering and he was also a member of the Student Officer Training Corps.
Earlier this month, it was reported that Lt. Col. Thompson, who split from his wife two years ago, has “found new love” with 33-year-old public relations executive Olivia Lewis.
The couple are said to have met when Ms Lewis worked for the Camilla royal couple.