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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Jennifer Newton

Royals' 'dashing' assistants who help with duties - and have won over a legion of fans

With their busy diaries full of duties, senior members of the Royal Family need a bunch of loyal aides who keep their schedules on track.

And among them is a lineup of equerries - service personnel drawn from the armed forces tasked with assisting their royal bosses while they are out and about on public duties.

They are often a familiar sight on royal engagements as they stay close to the principal, on hand to offer their help in any way they can.

But their close proximity often means they end up in photos and videos alongside their bosses, making them become instantly recognisable - and even earning a legion of devoted fans online...

Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Thompson

The one aide who seems to have been at King Charles' side ever since he came to the throne is Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Thompson.

He is of the 5th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland and is often seen wearing a traditional kilt. He previously worked for the late Queen too.

King Charles with Major Johnny Thompson as he addresses Parliament (Getty Images)

He's appeared with the King on most of his notable events since becoming monarch - most notably at the Coronation, where he helped him to remove robes before being anointed.

The dad-of-one is originally from Northumberland and is happily married to wife Caroline.

Since being thrust into the spotlight, the 39-year-old has developed a strong online following with many swooning over him.

Lieutenant Colonel Thompson in the Coronation procession at Westminster Abbey (Getty Images)

One fan wrote on Twitter : "Major Jonny Thompson is a tremendous hunk!"

Another remarked: "We need more footage of the rather handsome kilted Major Jonny Thompson."

While one said: "I think I’m getting a wee crush on King Charles‘s new royal equerry."

Major Ollie Plunket

Queen Camilla appointed her very first equerry last November - and landing the role was Captain Ollie Plunket.

He serves in the Rifles, the regiment which Camilla is Colonel-in-Chief - and like the equerry to the King, he also took part in the Coronation procession and ceremony.

At 29, Major Plunkett is unmarried and completed an impressive achievement in his younger years.

According to the Daily Mail, he travelled from the south of Argentina to the north of Alaska on a motorbike when he was just 18 - covering 14 countries, 24,500 miles and raising £100,000 for wounded service personnel.

One fan wrote on Twitter: "Major Ollie Plunket gets my vote...."

While another said: "Hello there Major Ollie Plunkett where have you been?!?!

Lieutenant Commander Rob Dixon

Completing the line-up is Prince William's very own equerry Lieutenant Commander Rob Dixon, who has worked for him since 2020.

Prior to this, he spent decades in the Royal Navy, where he underwent flying training to become a helicopter pilot.

He's been at the side of William and Kate at many major events including the funerals of the late Queen and Prince Philip.

Kate's sister Pippa is escorted at a carol service by Lieutenant Commander Dixon (PA)

The Lieutenant Commander was also seen at Kate's Christmas Carol Concert at Westminster Abbey last year as well as the Coronation of Charles and Camilla last month.

One admirer on Twitter said: "Lt. Commander Rob Dixon y'all - quite a dashing man."

While another said after the Coronation when the equerry was seen escorting Prince George to his parents: "The very fine Lt Commander Rob Dixon walking and looking proudly at Prince George.He did us all proud."

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