Lt Col Johnny Thompson is pictured walking behind Charles and Camilla in France© Getty

King Charles gives top promotion to popular loyal aide - report

Dashing lieutenant colonel Johnny Thompson has gained a cult following on social media

Online Royal CorrespondentLondon
October 25, 2023

An aide, who has garnered a cult social media following with royal fans, is set to become the King's right-hand man.

Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Thompson has been reportedly promoted to "super equerry" after impressing King Charles and Queen Camilla in his current role.

According to The Sun, Lt Col Thompson, 40, is set to leave the Army within 18 months, ending his role as equerry.

But the King is said to be taking him on in a more senior royal, with the Army officer tasked with organising his private affairs.

HELLO! has reached out to Buckingham Palace for comment.

Lt Col Thompson previously worked alongside the late Queen Elizabeth II and was suddenly thrust into the spotlight following her death in September 2022.

He escorted then prime minister Liz Truss to meet the new King, and just a few weeks later, he brought Rishi Sunak to Buckingham Palace to be appointed the new PM.

© Getty

Lt Col Thompson previously worked for Queen Elizabeth II

Since then, Lt Col Thompson has been by the King's side for a number of major events, including Charles's coronation at Westminster Abbey on 6 May, and the King and Queen's visits to Northern Ireland, Germany and France.

© Getty

Lt Col Thompson was by the King's side at his coronation in May

The equerry was dubbed a "hunk" by social media users and his popularity landed him third place in Tatler's Social Power Index earlier this year. The magazine lauded him for his "fabulous sense of humour" and looking "as good in a suit as he does a kilt".

© Getty

Lt Col Thompson at Royal Ascot

The King and Queen are set to carry out a five-day tour of Kenya next week, with the pair hosting a reception for Kenyan diaspora on Tuesday.

Charles appeared emotional as he viewed a poignant image of Treetops - the famous Kenyan hideaway his late mother was staying at when she learned that she had become Queen, following the death of her father King George VI on 6 February 1952.

Hear what the King had to say about it in the clip below…

WATCH: King Charles expresses sadness over photo related to late Queen

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