The Queen of England has picked the first black man to hold the role of equerry, one of the most important positions in the royal household.
Ghanaian-born Major Nana Kofi Twumasi-Ankrah, an Afghanistan war veteran and officer from the Household Cavalry, is thought to be preparing to take over the role from Wing Commander Sam Fletcher later this year.
Twumasi-Ankrah’s royal career so far has included acting as escort commander at the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall’s wedding in 2011, as well as commanding the Blues and Royals at the Queen’s birthday parade – but his new role will mean he could spend more time at Her Majesty’s side than even her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh.
Since Prince Philip announced that he will be stepping down from public duties this autumn, the new equerry could be the most visible man by the monarch’s side.
Twumasi-Ankrah, 38, told the Sunday Times that as a young child he used to watch the trooping of the colour with fascination.
He said: ‘I would have never imagined that one day I’d command the regiment which I’d fallen in love with.
‘From what I’ve seen in the UK, our cultures really do mix and if I’m not a good example of that I really don’t know what is.’
The paper said the Queen is thought to have picked Twumasi-Ankrah personally from a group of candidates.
The role of equerry, which involves personally assisting the Queen in her public duties, has often been associated with scandal.
The paper said the Queen is thought to have picked Twumasi-Ankrah personally from a group of candidates.
The role of equerry, which involves personally assisting the Queen in her public duties, has often been associated with scandal.
The pair separated because the conservative times meant she could not wed a divorcee.
In another more recent scandal in the role of equerry, Major Simon Robinson resigned from his post in 2010 following the break up of his marriage.
He lost his coveted ‘job for life’ as Crown Equerry amid speculation at the time of an extra-marital affair, which he denied furiously.
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