King Charles' 'hot equerry' has joined him and Queen Camilla on their state visit to the US as he was spotted at the ceremonial welcome for the couple at the White House today.
Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Thompson, who previously worked for Queen Elizabeth II and stole thousands of hearts at Charles' coronation, sported a kilt as he walked among guests awaiting the appearance of the royal couple in Washington.
The official arrival has been billed as a major event in the King's latest trip to the US, which comes amid difficult relations between the Donald Trump administration and Sir Keir Starmer's government. It featured a traditional military ceremony by the US Army Herald Trumpets, followed by national anthems of both countries played by the US Marine Band and a Presidential Salute Battery rendering a 21-gun cannon salute.
Before the President and his wife Melania Trump appeared on stage alongside King Charles and Queen Camilla, Lieutenant Colonel Thompson was seen smiling as he mingled on the White House lawn. He is a senior aide to Charles and a former senior bodyguard to his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
The officer, from Surrey, first entered the limelight in 2022 for his role in royal public events following the late Queen's death, and was nicknamed the 'hot equerry' after going viral online. But to the disappointment of many, it emerged he was already married and had been since 2010. He and his wife quietly separated before the army officer found love again with his now-wife, a PR executive named Olivia.
Lieutenant Colonel Thompson has become close with the royal family through his years of service and even accompanied them on Christmas Day in 2024. He belongs to the 5th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland, and his title of equerry means he is an officer of the royal household who assists members of the royal family. This involves 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. He recently moved into a less public facing role, after reportedly preferring to step away from the limelight following the viral attention he received in the wake of the coronation.
Charles and Queen Camilla have a jam-packed schedule for their second day in Washington, DC, which includes a bilateral meeting with President Trump, Charles' address to Congress and a formal state dinner. The King is expected to emphasize the two countries' long history and shared democratic values during his speech in an effort to help strengthen the special UK-US relationship, which has been under strain over issues including NATO and the Iran war.
As they arrived at the White House on Tuesday, a US military band played as they were greeted by members of Trump's cabinet. They walked out on a red carpet before taking to the stage, where the President made an address. He joked about the British weather on a rainy day in Washington, telling those gathered: 'What a beautiful British day this is. And it really is. Your majesties, members of the British delegation, friends, service members and distinguished guests. Welcome to the beautiful White House.'
During the ceremony, the military band played the 'Stars and Stripes Forever' march by John Philip Sousa. His Majesty and the President, accompanied by the Commander of Troops, inspected the troops on parade in a mirror ceremony of the Guard of Honour that President Trump received at Windsor Castle on his own recent state visit to the UK.
Before entering the White House, their Majesties and the President and First Lady paused on the historic balcony of the South Portico, where they watched a 'Pass in Review' of nearly 500 members of the US Armed Forces from all six military branches. The royal couple arrived in Washington on Monday for the start of a four-day state visit to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
The King and US president had tea with their wives at the White House soon after the royals arrived and an image from the meeting showed the two men engrossed in conversation. With the so-called special relationship between the UK and US tested in recent months, following a war of words between Mr Trump and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer over the conflict in Iran, officials in Downing Street will be hoping the royal family’s soft power diplomacy can help heal the rift.
After the ceremonial elements of the morning, the King and President will meet for bilateral talks in the iconic Oval Office with their most senior advisors. The Queen and the First Lady, who warmly greeted each other with kisses yesterday, will also carry out a joint engagement.
