Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral took place today following her passing on September 8.
Throughout the proceedings leading up to the historic occasion, a fair few have been distracted by King Charles III’s equerry.
Major Jonathan Thompson of the 5th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland found himself front-and-centre when Prime Minister Liz Truss became one of the first people to meet The King on Friday, September 9.
He was also seen standing behind The King when he signed the proclamations at St James’s Palace.
Fans were also intrigued by the new monarch’s equerry during the procession of Her Majesty’s coffin from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall on Wednesday, September 14.
Known as ‘Johnny’ to close friends, he was once the late Queen’s highest-ranking bodyguard and was often pictured with her, the Daily Mail reports.
A video clip of him accompanying Ms Truss to the audience room at Buckingham Palace has now been widely shared on social media with heart and love emojis.
Among less appropriate names, some fans gave him the new title of ‘Major eye candy’.
One Twitter user wrote: ‘PM Truss is the envy of the world. A weekly meeting with Johnny – I mean, King Charles?’
But another said: ‘I think he looks very sad, he’s really devoted to the Royal Family, bless him.’
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But those wanting to chase after the hunky Army officer aren’t in luck, as it turns out Johnny is married.
He tied the knot with marketing manager Caroline, 44, in 2010.
According to the Daily Mail, Caroline, a keen equestrian, was educated at Windsor Girls School and nearby Strodes College before going on to obtain an HND at Southampton Institute in Design Communications.
The couple also has a four-year-old son as well as two black labradors called Odin and Piper – a nod to his military time in Scotland.
Major Thompson was previously spotted alongside The King and Camilla, The Queen Consort on their tour of Canada in May 2022 – undertaken as The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall
The kilt-clad equerry further caught the attention of royal watchers when he was part of the Platinum Jubilee Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral in June.
He was pictured sitting behind Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex.
Since then, his fanbase has been growing exponentially online.
Equerries are appointed by working members of the Royal Family and are drawn from senior officers of the British Army.
In his role as an officer of the British royal household, Major Thompson often attends such public events.
He will also be in close contact with the monarch both while at royal residences, such as Buckingham Palace.
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