Hand in hand, King’s dashing equerry and his new love – a PR exec who used to work for Charles
He is normally seen in public in kilt and uniform, just a few steps behind the king.
But yesterday, Charles’s dashing stablemaster, Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Thompson, was dressed in a hoodie and trainers – and strolled down a London street with his new love.
Despite acquiring an army of female fans at the coronation, the 40-year-old soldier only had eyes for Olivia Lewis, 33, a well-connected PR executive, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.
The couple has been together for a year and is said to be ‘well suited and very happy’.
Last year, Thompson received the seal of approval from society bible Tatler, placing him third on the annual Social Power Index list.
The King’s equerry, Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Thompson, was seen dressed in a hoodie and trainers – strolling down a London street with his new love Olivia Lewis
Thompson was promoted last year and has become Charles’ right-hand man or ‘super equerry’
The magazine wrote: ‘From within the palace walls, the king’s equerry wields his unique brand of quiet, charming power.’
Mrs Lewis had no royal connections herself and met Thompson – whose marriage ended almost two years ago – while working for Charles and Camilla.
Her father is Simon Lewis, once the Queen’s communications supremo and the man who ‘saved’ her reputation in the period after Princess Diana’s death. He moved from the Palace to Number 10 and became former Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s spin doctor.
Olivia’s uncle is former Daily Telegraph editor Sir Will Lewis, now publisher and CEO of the Washington Post.
After his appearance at the coronation and other high-profile events, Thompson set social media on fire and was dubbed ‘Major Eye Candy’ and the ‘Hot Equerry’.
After his appearance at the coronation and other high-profile events, Thompson set social media on fire and was dubbed ‘Major Eye Candy’ and the ‘Hot Equerry’.
Also popular with the King and Queen, he was promoted last year and has become Charles’ right-hand man or ‘super rider’. On Christmas Day he joined them at the front of the Royal Family’s procession to Sandringham Church. From now on, however, his role will be more office-based, meaning he will be seen less in public as he helps organize the king’s private affairs.
He serves with the 5th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland, and the decision to extend his secondment to the army to allow him to remain with the Royal Household was seen as an indication of how highly he is regarded.
He once recalled an invitation from the late Queen to Balmoral, telling the BBC: ‘One evening my wife and I were invited to one of the Bothies (cabins) on the estates to dine with Her Majesty.
‘She immediately started making the salad dressing, setting the table and the evening culminated in me doing the dishes next to her, which is a lovely memory.’
Thompson married a marketing manager in 2010, who is 12 years older than London-based Ms Lewis.
Due to his army career, they lived in at least seven houses.