Lt. Colonel Johnny Thompson of the Scots Guards and Handsome Men In Kilts **Appreciation Thread

[lizle]

It's interesting how the Royal Regiment of Scotland Ceremonial Uniform was created by the MoD after the Regiments were amalgamated, I stumbled across an old article in The Scotsman, at the time quoting furious former Lowlander Regiment members who were not happy with the kilt, and said they were just as proud of wearing tartan trousers. I saw an old documentary film of the Sutherland area during the war about the life of Crofters, and presumably a member of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, now Balaklava Company of 5 Scots, and I immediately recognised the brown beret and pom pom, as it hasn't changed!

I find it interesting that the Highland Regiments wore kilts into combat in World War II and the earlier Royal Scots, who wore white jersey breeches, switched to the Black Watch tartan trews. I recall reading somewhere that during the amalgamation, the battalion that was deployed to Iraq in 2006, changed over to the Glengarry headdress like the one Jonny wears, while in the Iraq Theater.

 

[laurajones123]

If Jonny does have living space in St. James Palace, that would make complete sense. Close enough to quickly walk, and still have privacy, out of the public eye. I believe the King, considering the importance of the work that Jonny does for him, would want to keep him close by and safe. Jonny has become so well known that I imagine it could become a security risk if he had to walk to work even with BP, Wellington Barracks, and Clarence House being in close proximity, unless the King provides him with some type of transportation. I wonder if Jonny has his own security coverage. As for Balmoral visits, possibly a single room in Birkhall or a designated shared house on the Estate with the rest of Charles' closest person Staff?

I think you are right. You never see him walking around even BP or Wellington Barracks. He was filmed walking into BP during the Queens funeral when people didn't really know who he was and that video went viral so I don't think he could do that now. I think he does live on the estate somewhere where he can get to work without using public streets. There have been some other pics of him going to collect the South African President but I think that was literally just getting out of the car and into the building and even that was filmed. So I do think he lives most of his life behind palace walls which must come with its own challenges, to completely lose your freedom, to be photographed as soon as you step outside.

 

[lizle]

I think you are right. You never see him walking around even BP or Wellington Barracks. He was filmed walking into BP during the Queens funeral when people didn't really know who he was and that video went viral so I don't think he could do that now. I think he does live on the estate somewhere where he can get to work without using public streets. There have been some other pics of him going to collect the South African President but I think that was literally just getting out of the car and into the building and even that was filmed. So I do think he lives most of his life behind palace walls which must come with its own challenges, to completely lose your freedom, to be photographed as soon as you step outside.

I think you are right about living behind palace walls. It must take a special type of person to successfully live that kind of regimented lifestyle. But also a high honor to be selected by the King for such an elevated position. Such a privilege to serve in that way. His job must be a combination of exciting, challenging, energizing, satisfying and exhausting. What a tremendous personal accomplishment and journey to eventually look back upon later in life! Let's hope that he receives honors from the King and the Royal Regiment of Scotland for the awesome work he is doing in service to the Crown. He is certainly deserving of a few more medals on his chest and around his neck!

 

[La Rhumba]

I think you are right. You never see him walking around even BP or Wellington Barracks. He was filmed walking into BP during the Queens funeral when people didn't really know who he was and that video went viral so I don't think he could do that now. I think he does live on the estate somewhere where he can get to work without using public streets. There have been some other pics of him going to collect the South African President but I think that was literally just getting out of the car and into the building and even that was filmed. So I do think he lives most of his life behind palace walls which must come with its own challenges, to completely lose your freedom, to be photographed as soon as you step outside.

He can definitely avail himself of an official car. If we look back to that day of Queen Elizabeth's Service of Thanksgiving at St.Paul's Cathedral in June 2002 during the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations, he arrived at St.Paul's in an official car with another member of Clarence House Staff and was greeted by Camilla's Private Secretary with a kiss. He then went to the Post Service Luncheon at the Guildhall and spent the entire time liaising with Met Police and Palace Aides, walking around the hall, looking intense sometimes. No champagne and canapés for Johnny! It would be interesting to know exactly what he was doing, but it's probably top secret. Though it would be a best seller if he wrote a book about his life as an Equerry, but it probably wouldn't be permitted.

 

[La Rhumba]

Evidence that an Equerry can serve 2 Monarchs, or in Johnny's case the Prince of Wales and King. Another Johnny, Diana's Father Viscount Spencer, did just that in the 50s.

"He served as equerry to King George VI (1950–52) and to Queen Elizabeth II (1952–54), and was invested as a Member (fourth class) of the Royal Victorian Order (MVO) in 1954.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Jo...

John Spencer, 8th Earl Spencer -"​

 

[lizle]

He can definitely avail himself of an official car. If we look back to that day of Queen Elizabeth's Service of Thanksgiving at St.Paul's Cathedral in June 2002 during the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations, he arrived at St.Paul's in an official car with another member of Clarence House Staff and was greeted by Camilla's Private Secretary with a kiss. He then went to the Post Service Luncheon at the Guildhall and spent the entire time liaising with Met Police and Palace Aides, walking around the hall, looking intense sometimes. No champagne and canapés for Johnny! It would be interesting to know exactly what he was doing, but it's probably top secret. Though it would be a best seller if he wrote a book about his life as an Equerry, but it probably wouldn't be permitted.

A book about the daily life and the ins-and-outs of an Equerry's work is a brilliant idea! The book would most likely be a sell-out hit. There is precedent for such a book. Major Colin Burgess, MVO, Irish Guards, served as Equerry to the late Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. He wrote a book about his experience ... My Years with the Queen Mother Behind Palace Doors. Considering the required Non Disclosure Agreements, he must have been given permission to do this and Palace Staff must have been given the first read and opportunity to do a bit of editing. His book was published in 2006 by John Blake Publishing Limited, London. A very interesting quick read. We would love for Jonny to write a book about what his daily work life was like for Prince Charles as Prince of Wales and is now for King Charles!

 

[La Rhumba]

A book about the daily life and the ins-and-outs of an Equerry's work is a brilliant idea! The book would most likely be a sell-out hit. There is precedent for such a book. Major Colin Burgess, MVO, Irish Guards, served as Equerry to the late Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. He wrote a book about his experience ... My Years with the Queen Mother Behind Palace Doors. Considering the required Non Disclosure Agreements, he must have been given permission to do this and Palace Staff must have been given the first read and opportunity to do a bit of editing. His book was published in 2006 by John Blake Publishing Limited, London. A very interesting quick read. We would love for Jonny to write a book about what his daily work life was like for Prince Charles as Prince of Wales and is now for King Charles!

Thanks for the info, I will look into buying that book, and fingers crossed for a future one from Johnny!
I notice it was published 4 years after the Queen Mother died though. That may have been why permission was granted.


ETA: Just bought a copy online and look forward to reading when the book arrives.

 

[laurajones123]

Found this really wholesome picture of Queen Camilla and Jonny earlier in this feed and thought I would share it again as it is just lovely! I think Charles and Camilla really love Jonny!

 

[lizle]

Thanks for the info, I will look into buying that book, and fingers crossed for a future one from Johnny!
I notice it was published 4 years after the Queen Mother died though. That may have been why permission was granted.


ETA: Just bought a copy online and look forward to reading when the book arrives.

So glad you found a copy! Please let us know your thoughts about it when you have finished your read. The book could have continued for many more chapters and I would still have hoped for more!

 

[La Rhumba]

So glad you found a copy! Please let us know your thoughts about it when you have finished your read. The book could have continued for many more chapters and I would still have hoped for more!

Thank you! Will do!

 

[lizle]

Thanks for the info, I will look into buying that book, and fingers crossed for a future one from Johnny!
I notice it was published 4 years after the Queen Mother died though. That may have been why permission was granted.


ETA: Just bought a copy online and look forward to reading when the book arrives.

If Jonny were to write a book there would be no need for him to wait to begin such a large project. Personal stories tend to start with "Back in the day ..." and continue on to wind their way into the heart of the book. He could begin writing right away about his early days in the Royal Regiment of Scotland, his training, assignments, time in Iraq & Afghanistan, promotions, and his time in the various SCOTS Battalions. Next, on to his time in 5 SCOTS and his Balmoral duties, meeting the Queen, the Ghillies Ball, training for ceremonial duties, the Honour Guards, the Fit for Role process to prepare for London duties. Finally, his selection as Equerry to Prince Charles. And so it could go from there. Just a few personal thoughts so I'll stop prattling on.

 

[Catkin9]

If Jonny were to write a book there would be no need for him to wait to begin such a large project. Personal stories tend to start with "Back in the day ..." and continue on to wind their way into the heart of the book. He could begin writing right away about his early days in the Royal Regiment of Scotland, his training, assignments, time in Iraq & Afghanistan, promotions, and his time in the various SCOTS Battalions. Next, on to his time in 5 SCOTS and his Balmoral duties, meeting the Queen, the Ghillies Ball, training for ceremonial duties, the Honour Guards, the Fit for Role process to prepare for London duties. Finally, his selection as Equerry to Prince Charles. And so it could go from there. Just a few personal thoughts so I'll stop prattling on.

Just found a Colin Burgess, at Amazon... so have 'booked' one. Sorry! No pun intended.

 

[La Rhumba]

If Jonny were to write a book there would be no need for him to wait to begin such a large project. Personal stories tend to start with "Back in the day ..." and continue on to wind their way into the heart of the book. He could begin writing right away about his early days in the Royal Regiment of Scotland, his training, assignments, time in Iraq & Afghanistan, promotions, and his time in the various SCOTS Battalions. Next, on to his time in 5 SCOTS and his Balmoral duties, meeting the Queen, the Ghillies Ball, training for ceremonial duties, the Honour Guards, the Fit for Role process to prepare for London duties. Finally, his selection as Equerry to Prince Charles. And so it could go from there. Just a few personal thoughts so I'll stop prattling on.

Thank God Johnny returned from Iraq and Afghanistan physically unharmed. There were so many casualties and soldiers maimed, even in the How To Wear A Kilt video made by the RRofS one of the soldiers had a prosthetic leg.

 

[La Rhumba]

Just found a Colin Burgess, at Amazon... so have 'booked' one. Sorry! No pun intended.

My copy has just been dispatched and should be arriving next Wednesday.

 

[lizle]

Thank God Johnny returned from Iraq and Afghanistan physically unharmed. There were so many casualties and soldiers maimed, even in the How To Wear A Kilt video made by the RRofS one of the soldiers had a prosthetic leg.

The "How to Wear a Kilt" video is interesting and fun to watch. Although, its beginning makes one pause when the two kilt-wearing soldiers step into view and one has a prosthetic leg. I read somewhere that a Royal Regiment kilt is made of 14 yards of wool so it must be a heavy garment to wear. In a "Royal Week" YouTube video, of Jonny and the King preparing to walk to the Britannia, the wind was so strong that flags were extended full length in the gale. Jonny's kilt barely swayed.