RIGHT HAND MAN
Who is Queen Camilla’s equerry Major Ollie Plunket?
Plus, the daring adventure Ollie undertook in his teens to raise money for the families of hospitalised serviceman
WHEN Queen Camilla is at royal apppintments she always has her equerry on hand.
Here is what we know abput Major Ollie Plunket, who is always ready to help the Queen with her duties.
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Who is Queen Camilla's equerry Major Ollie Plunket?
The Queen Consort’s equerry, Major Ollie Plunket, serves in The Rifles, the regiment Camilla has been colonel-in-chief of since 2020 after succeeding the late Prince Philip.
Even before he started working with the Firm, Plunket had been on some impressive adventures.
When he was 18, he went on a solo motorbike ride from Argentina to Alaska while on a gap year, before taking up an Army scholarship at Exeter University.
I can't imagine what it must be like for a family to receive the news that their loved one has been injured on duty and is now in hospital in Birmingham, miles from where they live.
Major Ollie Plunket
His trip raised over £100,000 for the Fisher House Foundation, a charity that provides a home away from home for the families of military patients being treated at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham.
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Plunket's journey took 213 days, covering 24,500 miles riding a Yamaha 600cc Tenere, and he even survived a rock fall along the way.
He said: “I've ridden some amazing roads with incredible scenery. I have enjoyed the challenge immensely but always in my mind was the fact that I was doing this for the troops and their families.
“I can't imagine what it must be like for a family to receive the news that their loved one has been injured on duty and is now in hospital in Birmingham, miles from where they live.
“I am passionate about supporting Fisher House because having accommodation close to the wards is one less thing for the families to think about.”
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What does a royal equerry do?
A royal equerry is an officer from one of the armed services appointed to assist members of royalty in the day-to-day handling of their duties.
Camilla appointed Plunkett as her first ever equerry in November 2022.
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An equerry usually spends around three years in the role, and it is understood that Plunket helps look after the Queen's diary and every day events.
He also assists with official events, providing support with engagements and military relationships.
The role involves being in close regular contact with the royal in question within royal residences, as well as at public engagements.
It’s thought that the monarch chooses their own equerry — meaning Camilla may have handpicked Plunket.
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.
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Who is King Charles' equerry and bodyguard?
King Charles has a separate equerry to his wife Camilla.
His royal equerry is Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Thompson of the 5th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland.
He is often seen at royal events, especially following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
The Army officer comes from Morpeth, Northumberland, but now lives in Surrey with his family.
His Army career started in 2006, he is a platoon commander and is thought to have been working as an equerry with King Charles since 2020.
His LinkedIn profile says that he graduated from Aberystwyth University in 2004 with a degree in economics and politics with international studies.
At university he was a member of the undergraduate officer training corps.
His job involves being in charge of the planning and execution of the King’s day-to-day business.
Lt Col Thompson's role requires him to go to public events and be in close contact with the monarch.
He is also close to the King while he is at royal residences, such as Buckingham Palace.
Charles' equerry used to work with the late Queen and has worked for the royal household for a several years.
He was one of her most senior bodyguards and went to several royal events with her.
Lt Col Thompson first appeared in public in his role when he was part of the Platinum Jubilee Thanksgiving service at St Paul’s Cathedral in June 2022.
Away from work he often spends time with his family.
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He got married to his wife Caroline, who works as a marketing manager, in 2010.
The couple has a young son, whose information is kept away from the public spotlight, as well as two black labradors named Odin and Piper.
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Caroline studied at Windsor Girls School and Strode's College, before geting an HND at Southampton Institute in Design Communications
In a diverse career, she went on to work at Packard Bell, BMW, and also as a gym instructor and horse rider.