What does a 22-year-old royal have in common with the rest of the population? A very understandable desire to be seated as close as possible to King Charles’ famously “hot equerry”, Lieutenant Colonel Jonny Thompson.
And honestly, who could blame Lady Louise Windsor?
The duo were front and centre at the Royal Windsor Horse Show earlier this month, appearing thoroughly engrossed in both the evening’s entertainment and each other’s company.
Seated side by side in Windsor Home Park on May 15, Lady Louise and Thompson looked to be getting on famously as they watched a packed program of performances unfold.
Dressed in a Holland Cooper Fair Isle knit, the daughter of Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh appeared delighted by her seatmate, sharing animated conversation and plenty of laughs while seated near King Charles III and Sophie throughout the evening.
But for those unfamiliar with the internet’s favourite palace figure, who exactly is the King’s “hot equerry”?
Thompson first became an unlikely social media phenomenon in September 2022 following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, when clips of the kilt-wearing officer accompanying royal processions began circulating online.
One viral TikTok alone amassed millions of views, with viewers famously searching variations of “man in green kilt behind Queen’s coffin” in an attempt to identify him.
The fascination only intensified during the coronation of King Charles in 2023, when Thompson swiftly earned internet-appointed titles including the “hot equerry” and attracted admirers ranging from royal watchers to Martha Stewart.
According to reports from The Times, Thompson has since transitioned into a more executive, less publicly visible palace role. A palace source told the publication that the 40-year-old “remains senior equerry to the King and Queen, in a more executive and less public-facing role.”
Which, admittedly, feels a little like the royal institution trying to gatekeep its handsome aide.
Thompson, a member of the 5th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland, previously served as one of Queen Elizabeth’s most senior bodyguards before later becoming King Charles’ Super Equerry. Reports have also suggested he never particularly enjoyed the level of public attention that followed his unexpected online fame.
Unfortunately for him, the internet — and now seemingly Lady Louise — remains unconvinced that he belongs entirely out of sight.
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