All smiles as the King celebrates his birthday (Image: Getty)
King Charles turns 75 today and shows no sign of slowing down. The monarch makes his reign look effortless but there’s a lot of work that goes on behind-the-scenes to present him in his best light.
With a tour of the Commonwealth and a whole host of events on the horizon, the King needs all the support he can get from his loyal inner circle.
The royal household provides invaluable support to the King – enabling him to fulfil his duties and serve the country.
READ MORE King’s heartbreaking relationship with Lilibet after ’emotional’ first meeting
The King’s staff are formed of five main offices:
1. The Private Secretary’s Office supports King Charles in his constitutional, governmental, and political duties as Head of State.
2. The Privy Purse and Treasurer’s Office ensures the Royal Household is able to operate as a business.
3. The Master of the Household’s Department is in charge of everything related to private and official entertaining across all Royal residences.
4. The Lord Chamberlain’s Office is responsible for organising the King’s programme that involves public-facing events or ceremonial activity.
5. The Royal Collection Trust upholds the care and presentation of the Royal Collection and manages the public opening of official residences.
Major Jonathan Thompson is known as “Major Eye Candy” and his countless fans support this! (Image: Getty)
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King’s Equerry – Major Jonathan Thompson
Major Jonathan Thompson, or “Major Eye Candy” as he’s known to royal fans, first won admiration at the Queen’s funeral but really rose to prominence during the King’s Coronation.
Trained with the 5th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland, Jonny is the King’s equerry, which is an officer of the royal household who assists the royal family. Jonny is responsible for the planning and execution of the King’s daily programmes, such as at state ceremonies, including the state opening of Parliament and Trooping the Colour.
Lord Steward of the Household’s daughter Alice St Clair played Kate Middleton in a film. (Image: Getty)
Lord Steward of the Household – Peter St Clair-Erskine
Peter St Clair-Erskine, the 7th Earl of Rosslyn, is Lord Steward of the Royal Household and Personal Secretary to both the King and Queen. He is responsible for the day-to-day management and financial affairs of the royal household.
Known professionally as Peter Loughborough, he rarely makes use of his Scottish title. His daughter, Lady Alice St Clair is an actress who bizarrely played Kate Middleton in ‘William & Catherine: A Royal Romance’.
Director of the Royal Trust Collection (Image: Getty)
King’s Equerry – Major Jonathan Thompson
Major Jonathan Thompson, or “Major Eye Candy” as he’s known to royal fans, first won admiration at the Queen’s funeral but really rose to prominence during the King’s Coronation.
Trained with the 5th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland, Jonny is the King’s equerry, which is an officer of the royal household who assists the royal family. Jonny is responsible for the planning and execution of the King’s daily programmes, such as at state ceremonies, including the state opening of Parliament and Trooping the Colour.
Lord Steward of the Household – Peter St Clair-Erskine
Peter St Clair-Erskine, the 7th Earl of Rosslyn, is Lord Steward of the Royal Household and Personal Secretary to both the King and Queen. He is responsible for the day-to-day management and financial affairs of the royal household.
Known professionally as Peter Loughborough, he rarely makes use of his Scottish title. His daughter, Lady Alice St Clair is an actress who bizarrely played Kate Middleton in ‘William & Catherine: A Royal Romance’.
Director of Communications – Tobyn Andreae
Tobyn Andreae is the Royal Family’s director of communications and the spokesperson for both the King and Queen. Tobyn was educated at Eton and read English at the University of Bristol.
He is no stranger to the press as he once worked as a journalist for the likes of the Daily Mail, Sunday Times and the Express. Former colleagues describe him as a sensitive fellow with old Etonian charm, gregarious and warm with the ability to provide the perfect barrier between the royals and the press.
Communications Secretary – Hannah Howard
Hannah works alongside Tobyn in the communications department. She made her way up the communication ranks at the BBC before joining the royal household where she’s been for over 12 years now.
Hannah leads the Buckingham Palace communications and digital communications teams. The late Queen was so impressed with Hannah’s work that in 2018 she appointed her to the Royal Victorian Order.
Lord Chamberlain – Andrew David Parker alongside the late Queen (Image: PA)
Lord Chamberlain – Andrew David Parker
Andrew David Parker, Baron Parker of Minsmere, served as Director General of MI5 from 2013 to 2020.
He has served as Lord Chamberlain of the Household since April 2021 and is responsible for the ecclesiastical and medical households, the honourable corps of gentlemen at arms, and the sovereign’s bodyguard of the yeomen of the guard.
Events Adviser – Jojo Browner
The head of Table Talk and Blue Strawberry has been working in a semi-official capacity for the royals in recent years. Jojo first found her way into royal circles through her association with Pippa and Kate Middleton.
Pippa used to have a prominent role at Table Talk which helped secure big clients for Jojo – from organising William and Kate’s wedding to Pippa’s big day. Jojo has more recently been involved in a number of royal events including Princess Eugenie’s wedding and the Coronation.
Although her role at the palace isn’t considered part of the royal household, she is often drafted in to help bring huge events together behind the scenes.
Tradition continues as the King receives a teddy bear for his grandson Prince George (Image: Getty)
Valet to the King – Luke Jones
Luke Jones is the King’s personal valet and works closely with Jacqui Meakin to ensure the King wears the right attire for both official and private occasions. He’s been working with Charles since 2017.
The King is said to trust his most personal possessions with Luke as well as taking care of all the private things in his bedroom, from his underwear to his sock garters.
There’s even a childhood teddy bear that requires a change of clothes to match what the King is wearing on very special occasions.
Jacqui Meakin is in charge of choosing fashion peices for Queen Camilla (Image: Desmond O’Neill Features Ltd)
Senior Dresser – Jacqui Meakin
Jacqui Meakin is Queen Camilla’s dresser, but she also advises on what the King should wear to accompany his wife’s outfits. Originally from Newcastle, Jackie is a fiery redhead and a proud Geordie.
She’s a straight talker who has become a trusted confidante to both the King and Queen. Known as “Ms. Meakin”, Jackie has been working for the royals since the Queen Mother days. She’s loyal, dependable, and indispensable.
King’s Personal Protection Officer – Identity concealed for security reasons
The King is known to have a number of personal protection officers, but one stands out among the crowd – his bearded Asian sidekick who accompanies him on important royal engagements.
The bodyguard drew attention last year when he was seen pushing down a woman’s phone who was filming the King and asking the crowd to ”enjoy the moment.”
Since then, there have been multiple pictures and videos shared of him online likening him to a secret agent from the Kingsman film franchise and he’s generated a large fan following online.
Security Adviser – Robert Taussig
The royals engage private security firms, funded through personal and family assets alongside state-funded operations. Strict confidentiality agreements are in place with all security personnel and firms involved.
Security expert Robert Taussig is engaged for his expertise in high-profile security management.
His involvement has significantly enhanced the strategic and operational efficiency of some of the royal’s security, though he maintains a role behind the scenes to uphold the discrete nature of the setup.
