In a captivating moment of royal pageantry, King Charles and Queen Camilla’s state visit to the United States has gained additional attention thanks to the presence of King Charles’ notably charismatic equerry. Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Thompson accompanied the royal couple and was a prominent figure during their ceremonial welcome at the White House.

Lieutenant Colonel Thompson, who endeared himself to many during King Charles’ coronation, has a history of service to the royal family, having previously served Queen Elizabeth II. His appearance in a traditional kilt as he moved among the guests awaiting the royals’ arrival in Washington was both striking and distinguished.

This state visit is not just a ceremonial gesture but also a significant diplomatic occasion, especially given the current tense relations between the US under Donald Trump’s leadership and the government led by Sir Keir Starmer in the UK.

The welcome ceremony was a grand affair, featuring the US Army Herald Trumpets and performances of the national anthems by the US Marine Band. The traditional 21-gun cannon salute by the Presidential Salute Battery added to the elaborate proceedings.

As anticipation built for the arrival of President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump alongside King Charles and Queen Camilla, Lieutenant Colonel Thompson was seen engaging with guests, exuding charm and composure on the White House lawn.

Having served as a senior aide to King Charles and as a former senior bodyguard to Queen Elizabeth II, Lieutenant Colonel Thompson’s presence during this state visit underscores the continuity and tradition that define the royal family’s engagements.

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.

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 on the White House lawn

(L-R) Queen Camilla, King Charles III, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump during the official arrival ceremony at the White House in Washington

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.

He will become the second monarch to address the US Congress, the first being his late mother. 

As they arrived at the White House on Tuesday, a US military band played as King Charles and Queen Camilla were greeted by members of Trump’s cabinet.

Lieutenant Colonel Thompson is seen smiling as he greets guests on the White House lawn

US President Donald Trump joked about the British weather on a rainy day in Washington

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.

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.’

He also paid tribute to the so-called special relationship between the US and Britain, and said: ‘In the centuries since we won our independence, Americans have had no closer friends than the British.

‘We share that same root. We speak the same language. We hold the same values, and together, our warriors have defended the same extraordinary civilisation under twin banners of red, white and blue.’

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. 

This will see them join American students for a cross-cultural educational event at the White House Tennis Pavilion, where students will be using virtual reality headsets and AI-enabled glasses to learn about American history and the UK.

The trip comes as the US is celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.