US lifestyle expert Martha Stewart has revealed how she was 'totally charmed' by King Charles's handsome equerry during the monarch's state visit last week. The 84-year-old businesswoman took to Instagram to gush about meeting Charles's famously 'hot Equerry' - Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Thompson - who has served His Majesty since he took the throne in 2022.
Ms Stewart, who attended the King's Trust Global Gala in New York City on April 29, swooned to her near three million followers: 'Can't believe I got this close to the "hot Equerry". We actually spoke while waiting for King Charles to get to us for a few words. Totally charming, completely cool, exceedingly handsome.'
Thompson, 42, who now serves as King Charles's aide, first entered the limelight in 2022 for his role in royal public events following the late Queen's death - and gained the nickname of the 'hot equerry' after videos of him went viral online. In 2024, he was promoted to the role of senior equerry - a 'less public-facing role' which sees him taking on the crucial responsibility of managing the King's private affairs.
In response to Ms Stewart's complimentary post, several followers took to her comments to praise the 'hunky' equerry, with one adding: 'He seems like he'd be so nice and very cool!' 'I agree he is!,' exclaimed another, while one envious commenter wrote: 'You met Johnny!!! You lucky gal!'
Ms Stewart, who has met the Royal Family on numerous occasions, joined both Charles and Queen Camilla at the King's Trust Global Gala alongside numerous A-listers, including Donatella Versace, Anna Wintour and Stella McCartney. Dressed in a Jenny Packham dress, Ms Stewart praised the King for his 'excellent humour and form' in a separate Instagram post, sharing an image of her stood next to the monarch.
Speaking to TMZ after the event, Ms Stewart revealed that she fondly referred to the monarch as 'Chuck' and added: 'He looks great, Charles, he looks great. And Camilla looks fabulous'. When asked if she had ever provided their Majesties with any homewear tips, Ms Stewart responded: 'They don't need it at all. I need it from them!'
Lt Col Thompson first won over royal fans when he was spotted at the late Queen Elizabeth II's funeral, prompting royal watchers to compliment his brooding good looks. In May 2025, he wed PR executive Olivia Lewis, daughter of Simon Lewis OBE, who worked as communications secretary to the late Queen.
One clip of the 'hunky' equerry captured during the King's coronation weekend in 2023, showed Thompson greeting crowds who had gathered near Buckingham Palace. Thompson shows off his wide smile in the video, as he laughs with royal fans who queued up on The Mall in a bid to spot members of The Firm. Devoted royalists spent days camping in the area to ensure they were in the front row to watch the former Prince of Wales make his way back to the Palace as the crowned King.
Some of the gathered crowds pulled out their cameras as Thompson, who looked in high spirits, approached the barriers to greet them. TikTok users took to the comments section of the video to share their appreciation for the equerry. One wrote: 'Yeah I’d sleep in a tent for him.' Another said: 'Not only very handsome, but seems like a genuinely good man.' A third penned: 'I love him in his uniform.' And fourth commented: 'The way he's greeting his adoring fans.'
Thompson's role as an equerry 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. Once the Queen’s most senior bodyguards, he now serves His Majesty and was seen proudly standing next to King Charles' side during the Coronation, so it's perhaps no surprise he made third place on Tatler's Social Power Index in 2023.
Just behind King Charles III and Queen Camila (at number one), and billionaire businessman Sanjay and his fashion designer wife Anu Hinduja (at number two), the dashing equerry has cemented himself as one of the influential names to know in the UK, the publication says. According to Tatler, Johnny has a 'fabulous sense of humour' and has the ability to look as good in a suit as he does a kilt.
During the coronation, viewers rushed to social media to discuss not just the crowning of the monarch but the very handsome man by his side. 'Must admit there were times when I was a bit distracted today,' one tweeted. 'Major Jonathan Thompson is why we watch the coronation,' another added. 'Look at his beauty and his thick calves too.' Other admirers also couldn't help but point out the army officer's striking good looks as another fan wrote: 'Anyone else clocked the dashing chap in the kilt?'
The officer became an object of royal watchers' affections after he was thrust front-and-centre at historic royal events following the Queen's death. He was caught on camera calmly and coolly removing a pen tray which was cluttering the King’s desk, as Charles signed the Proclamation which named him as the monarch. Thompson was also seen in the procession when the Queen’s coffin was escorted from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall for the four days of lying in state. He greeted Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky during his trip to the UK and escorted then-Prime Minister Liz Truss to meet the King at Buckingham Palace in October 2022. Meanwhile, he was also spotted standing behind Harry and Meghan at the Platinum Jubilee celebration National Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral.
