Liz Truss was the envy of the world for being one of the first people to shake the hand of Britain’s new monarch on Friday.

The meeting between the new prime minister and King Charles III was watched by millions on TV but many were distracted by the dashing officer next to them.

Major Jonathan Thompson of the 5th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland found himself front-and-centre of the historic event as the equerry of the monarch.

Known as ‘Johnny’ to close friends, he was once the late Queen’s highest-ranking bodyguard and was often pictured with her, the Daily Mail reported.

A clip of him accompanying the PM to the audience room at Buckingham Palace has now been widely shared on social media with heart and love emojis.

Among less appropriate names, some fans gave him the new title of ‘Major eye candy’.

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One Twitter user wrote: ‘PM Truss is the envy of the world. A weekly meeting with Johnny – I mean, King Charles?’

But another said: ‘I think he looks very sad, he’s really devoted to the Royal Family, bless him.’

Major Thompson first caught the eye of royal watchers when he was part of the Platinum Jubilee thanksgiving service at St Paul’s Cathedral in June.

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He was pictured sitting behind the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and since then, his fanbase has been growing exponentially online.

In his role as an officer of the British royal household, Major Thompson often attends such public events.

He was also seen standing behind the King when he signed the proclamations at St James’s Palace.

Equerries are appointed by working members of the Royal Family and are drawn from senior officers of the British Army.

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