King Charles's equerry to leave his role as he quits the British Army after 22 years of military service

See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 09:08 EDT, 1 September 2026 | Updated: 09:39 EDT, 1 September 2026 The King's Equerry is to leave his role in the Royal Household and the Armed Forces, Buckingham Palace said today.Lieutenant Colonel Jonny Thompson, who serves as senior equerry to both King Charles III and Queen Camilla, will depart at the end of the year after nearly 22 years' military service.He plans to pursue a role in the private sector, the Palace said, meaning he will also leave the British Army after more than two decades of service.A spokesman added: 'Their Majesties were of course aware of this plan in advance and I know they are most grateful to Jonny for his support over the past seven years and wish him all the best for the future.'Thompson, of the 5th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland, hails from Morpeth in Northumberland. He joined the British Army in 2005 and was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan in 2006, 2009 and 2011.Following his tours, he became one of Queen Elizabeth II's most senior bodyguards, and was pictured with her at Balormal.He became equerry to Charles and Camilla in their roles as the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall in December 2019.He remained by Charles' side when he became King following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, and was seen standing proudly behind him during the Coronation at Westminster Abbey, watching over Prince George and His Majesty's other three Pages of Honour as they carried his ceremonial robes.Lt Col Jonny Thompson (pictured with King Charles III) has announced his intention to stand down as the monarch's equerry The British Army soldier served in the Middle East before becoming a vital part of the Royal Household in his role as the monarch's right-hand man (pictured 2023)It was around this time he also caught the eye of royal fans thanks to his dashing good looks, earning him a number of nicknames.But to the disappointment of many, it emerged he was already married and had been since 2010. Thompson was promoted to the role of 'senior equerry' - effectively serving as the monarch's right-hand man - in October 2023.Reports from the time suggested he had become 'uncomfortable' with the attention he was getting from admirers online, and that he took the promotion in order to be more behind the scenes.Thompson is so trusted by the King and Queen that he accompanied them on their state visit to the US in April this year.He was also by their side on Christmas Day 2024, which by tradition they spent at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.An online CV suggests he studied for a BA in International Politics at Aberystwyth University, and later a Masters in Military and Security Studies at King's College London.He attended Sandhurst's Royal Military Academy from 2005-2006 and has served in the British Army ever since. Thompson married his wife Caroline, with whom he had a son, in 2010. They later divorced, and he married his second wife, PR executive Olivia Lewis, in a 'low-key' ceremony in May 2025.This is a breaking story - more to follow.