KING Charles has hired the first female equerry to serve a monarch.

New assistant equerry Captain Kat Anderson oversees the King’s diary and accompany him on tours.

New assistant equerry Captain Kat Anderson will accompany King Charles on toursCredit: Rory Arnold / No 10 Downing Street

Who is King Charles’ equerry Captain Kat Anderson?

In February 2024, it was revealed that King Charles had appointed a brand new equerry to assist him on royal tours and meeting dignitaries.

Royal Artillery Officer Captain Kat Anderson has been given the prestigious job, thanks to her incredible career.

She was previously assistant private secretary to the National Security Advisers, Sir Stephen Lovegrove and Sir Tim Barrow, and worked for PM Rishi Sunak at Downing Street.

Captain Anderson’s new role requires her to attend public events with the monarch.

She is also in close contact with the King while at royal residences, such as Buckingham Palace.

Captain Anderson will work with Navy helicopter pilot Will Thornton, who has also been appointed a new equerry.

Despite being the first female equerry to serve a monarch, Anderson is not the first female equerry to assist a member of the Royal Family

Charles appointed RAF Squadron Leader Jayne Casebury as his equerry in the early 2000s when he was still the Prince of Wales.

Who did Captain Kat Anderson work for before?

The equerry role was made famous by Lt Col “Jonny” Thompson, who held the esteemed position from 2020 to 2024.

He has now been promoted to senior equerry and will take a more executive role at the Palace.

The new role will be more office-based, meaning he will be seen less in public as he helps organise the King’s private affairs.

Lt Col Thompson has enjoyed an incredible career, which saw him join the army in 2006.

After working his way up the ranks, he went on to be the late Queen’s bodyguard,

The popular royal aide won hearts with his appearance at the coronation in his kilted uniform.

During the ceremony Lt Col Thompson was dubbed “Major Eye Candy” and the “Hot Equerry” by fans.

What are Captain Kat Anderson’s duties?

Described as the “eyes and ears” of the Royal Family, equerries are considered extremely important figures.

They are responsible for the detailed planning and execution of the royals’ daily programmes and the King’s diary.

They accompany monarchs on official engagements, and assist with military matters.

They also help his guests during meetings with dignitaries.

The Royal Household also includes a number of “extra equerries” – honorary appointees drawn from among the current and retired senior officers of the Royal Household.

There is also a Crown Equerry who is responsible for the Royal Mews Department and holds a distinct office.