King Charles’ ‘hot equerry’ Lt Col Jonathan Thompson who became an internet phenomenon during the Coronation is moved to ‘less public-facing role’ at Buckingham Palace after ‘not enjoying the attention’

The King’s handsome equerry Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Thompson has been moved to a ‘less public-facing role’ after he reportedly did not enjoy the public attention he had been receiving, sources have claimed.

Lt Col Thompson, dubbed as ‘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 admirers at the Queen’s funeral, gaining a legion of fans thanks to his brooding good looks, but shot to unintentional fame during Charles’ 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 Lt Col Thompson, 40, was noticeably absent on Tuesday when Charles had his meeting with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

A Palace source has since told The Times that while he ‘remains senior equerry to the King and the Queen,’ Lt Col Thompson will be serving in a ‘more executive and less public-facing role’.

Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Thompson (pictured in March 2023) has been moved to a ‘less public-facing role’ after he reportedly did not enjoy the public attention he had been receiving, sources have claimed

Lt Col Thompson, dubbed as ‘the hot equerry’ on social media, was once one of the late Queen’s most senior bodyguards and now serves His Majesty. He shot to unintentional fame 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) 

Lt Col Thompson’s role as an equerry – an officer of the royal household who assists members of the royal family – involved assisting the King with his daily duties, standing beside him at public events and looking after the monarch’s carriages, coaches, and Rolls-Royces used at state ceremonies.

But insiders allege his role has changed because he was not enjoying the public attention he received after attending multiple high-profile events with Charles.

He will now instead aid the monarch with his private affairs and ‘carry out his duties away from the public eye’. 

MailOnline has approached Buckingham Palace for comment via email. 

Lt Col Thompson has had a relationship with the royal family for several years. He has been one of the 5th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland since 2006 and previously served as the late Queen.

The officer became an object of royal watchers’ affections last year after he was thrust front-and-centre at historic Royal events following the Queen’s death.

He was caught on camera calmly and coolly removing a pen tray which was cluttering the King’s desk, as Charles signed the Proclamation which named him as the new monarch.

He was also seen in the procession when the Queen’s coffin was escorted from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall for the four days of lying in state.

He greeted Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky during his trip to the UK in February last year and escorted then-Prime Minister Liz Truss to meet the King at Buckingham Palace in October 2022.

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

Lt Col 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 at Balmoral as she took up summer residence at the castle

The King’s handsome kilt-clad equerry, Lt Col Jonathan Thompson, left hearts racing after he proudly stood by the monarch’s side during the Coronation 

Lt Col Thompson welcomed then-PM Liz Truss to Buckingham Palace last autumn

Lt Col Thompson welcomed Rishi Sunak to at Buckingham Palace last October ahead of his audience with King Charles, where he was invited to become Prime Minister 

Contrary to most people believing he is Scottish, Lt Col 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. He is believed to have been working as an equerry with Charles for at least the last two years.

His profile also reveals how he attended Aberystwyth University where he graduated 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.

It was reported earlier this month that Lt Col Thompson, who had separated from his wife two years ago, has ‘found new love’ with 33-year-old PR executive Olivia Lewis. 

The pair are understood to have met while Ms Lewis was working for the King and Queen Camilla.