King and Queen's senior equerry to leave royal role

• Lieutenant Colonel Jonny Thompson is stepping down as senior equerry to the King and Queen.
• He will leave his royal household post at the end of the year.
• Thompson is also leaving the British Army after nearly 22 years of service.
• He intends to pursue a career in the private sector.
• Buckingham Palace stated the King and Queen were aware of his plans and wished him well.

Lieutenant Colonel Jonny Thompson, the senior equerry to King Charles and Queen Camilla, is set to depart his royal role at the end of the year. After seven years of service with the royal household, Thompson will also leave the British Army, where he served for nearly 22 years, to embark on a career in the private sector.

Buckingham Palace confirmed the move, with a spokesperson stating that Their Majesties were aware of his plans in advance and expressed gratitude for his support, wishing him well for the future. Thompson, who has gained a significant online following among some royal fans, has been a prominent figure accompanying the King and Queen on official engagements.

He previously served as the late Queen Elizabeth II's most senior bodyguard before taking on the role of equerry to Charles following her death. Thompson was commissioned into the Royal Regiment of Scotland in 2006 and has served in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was appointed equerry to Charles and Camilla in December 2019 and became senior equerry to the King and Queen upon Charles's accession in September 2022.

Thompson's public appearances have garnered attention, including an encounter with lifestyle guru Martha Stewart during a state visit to the US, where she praised his charm and appearance. He has a son with his ex-wife, Caroline Thompson, and welcomed a daughter with his wife, Olivia, in May.