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Prince William's dashing royal equerry Rob Dixon has shared an emotional message to LinkedIn as he prepares to bid farewell to the role.
The lieutenant commander was first appointed to the household in 2020, when William and Kate were Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and continued in the role when they became the Prince and Princess of Wales.
After being loyally by William's side for four years as his right-hand man, he is now set to return to his post in the Royal Navy.
Sharing a moving post to his LinkedIn account this morning as he prepares to step down as equerry, the officer thanked the Prince for the 'incredible opportunity' and reinforced his continuing commitment to 'Team Wales'.
He accompanied his post with some touching images from his time in the role, such as laughing alongside the Princess of Wales during her Christmas event in 2022, and joining Prince William and Prince George for the Platinum Jubilee.
Mr Dixon wrote: 'It's time to move on... I've had the most incredible opportunity to serve in a role that not only challenged me, but allowed me to grow, to learn, and to make meaningful contributions alongside a talented and passionate team.
'I am immensely grateful for the support, collaboration, and friendships formed during these last 4 years. It's been a remarkable journey and I look forward to carrying the skills and insights I've gained into my next appointments.'
He went on to reflect on the momentous events he had been involved in during his role, including the Platinum Jubilee, King Charles's coronation and the funerals of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.
Prince William 's dashing royal equerry Rob Dixon has shared an emotional message to LinkedIn as he prepares to bid farewell to the role (pictured in September)
As royal equerry, Rob Dixon has been by Prince William and Kate's sides for many a royal event. Pictured at Together At Christmas in December 2022
He continued: 'There were engagements when our whole Household was involved, every single person, and there were times when I was quite rightly standing alone, calling the shots and backing the shots I'd taken.
'It's now time to swap the top hat and tails for 'daily working rig' once again, and it's the right thing to do. An Equerry's role is finite, and handing over to an enthusiastic fresh set of eyes is all part of the process.
'The aim of any military role should be to serve, lead and support your team, strive for success, then move onwards and upwards; I'm excited to do just that.
I will be forever grateful to everyone who played their part alongside me in 'Team Cambridge' and 'Team Wales', and also to my superb Principals. I wish you all fair winds and following seas.'
Equerries are officers from one of the three branches of the Armed Forces who are seconded to assist senior royals in the course of their royal duties.
This involves organising and helping out at public engagements, to arranging official diaries - with about six of them working in the Royal Household at any one time.
The role dates back to the 16th century and aims to reinforce the Crown's role as Head of the Armed Forces. It is usually held for three years.
Mr Dixon is heading back to the Royal Navy after four years.
Prince William's new equerry will be Squadron Leader Mike Reynolds, who is also a trained helicopter pilot and on secondment from the Royal Air Force.
Sharing a moving post to his LinkedIn account this morning as he prepares to step down as equerry, the officer thanked the Prince for the 'incredible opportunity'
Royal fans have previously gushed over Mr Dixon when he appears at royal events. Pictured November 2022
Prince Harry, Prince William, King Charles III, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward, Peter Phillips and Rob Dixon gather at Windsor Castle during the Committal Service for Queen Elizabeth II held at St George's Chapel on September 19, 2022
He was by the royals' side for a vigil for Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022. Pictured right, alongside Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh and Prince Edward
Mr Dixon highlighted the opportunity of playing a 'small role' in momentous royal events, such as the Platinum Jubilee in 2022 (pictured)
WHAT IS A ROYAL EQUERRY?
Equerries are officers from one of the three branches of the Armed Forces who are seconded to assist senior royals in the course of their royal duties.
This involves organising and helping out at public engagements, to arranging official diaries - with about six of them working in the Royal Household at any one time.
The role dates back to the 16th century and aims to reinforce the Crown's role as Head of the Armed Forces. It is usually held for three years.
There are around six equerries working for the Royal Household at a time and they are recruited from the Armed Forces to assist key members of the monarchy at public engagements.
It is thought that the royals choose their own equerries.
King Charles's equerry is Major Jonathan Thompson.
Prince William's new equerry will be Squadron Leader Mike Reynolds after Rob Dixon steps down.
Historically, equerries were in charge of the stables and the position has only ever been held by men.
They are usually considered to be a royal's right-hand man and act as 'eyes and ears' for the crown.
Famously, Captain Peter Townsend was royal equerry to King George VI. His relationship with Princess Margaret was later dramatised in Netflix series The Crown.
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Mr Dixon was appointed to the Royal Household in September 2020, working as an equerry for Prince William, according to his LinkedIn account.
A source previously said how Lieutenant Commander Dixon was a 'confident' member of the royal household and added: 'He and William work really well together, not least because they are both helicopter nuts.'
The military man, who attended Dr Challoner's Grammar School in Amersham, followed by the Joint Services Command and Staff College in Shrivenham, has spent almost 24 years working for the Royal Navy.
His CV boasts an impressive list of roles, including Helicopter Instructor, and Wildcat HMA Mk2 Pilot.
While describing himself as 'mostly operating as a leader', he has noted that he also 'operates well as part of the team'.
In 2015, he was awarded a Green Endorsement, being commended for 'the speed of thought, judgement and total professionalism with which he dealt with a compounding series of circumstances'.
Royal fans previously went wild after Mr Dixon was spotted chatting to King Charles's hunky equerry at Ascot in June 2023.
The King's Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Thompson of the 5th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland was spotted in top hat and tails chatting to Mr Dixon.
William the Prince of Wales at the funeral of Sir Bobby Charlton at Manchester Cathedral, November 2023
Mr Dixon is pictured left Britain's William, Prince of Wales, arrives at the Houses of Parliament to attend a vigil during Britain's Queen Elizabeth lying-in-state
Kate is pictured with Rob Dixon during Prince Philip's funeral in April 2021
Zara Phillips, Michael Middleton, Carole Middleton, Pippa Middleton, James Matthews and Rob Dixon attend the 'Together at Christmas' Carol Service at Westminster Abbey on December 15, 2022
The lieutenant commander was first appointed to the household in 2020, when William and Kate were Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Pictured in March this year
'Rob Dixon alert!' one royal fan wrote on Twitter.
'Thanks to the wonderful [photographer] Chris Jackson who understands the needs of the public,' said another.
Following Queen Elizabeth's death in September 2022, he was snapped at events including the vigil at Westminster Hall, where the Queen's grandchildren stood at the monarch's casket.
The officer was spotted cheering with William at the Euros earlier this year.
Meanwhile pictures from July 2022 showed the equerry smiling as he attended a polo match in Surrey with Prince William.
Meanwhile an April 2021 snap showed him with the Princess of Wales during the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle.
In 2015, he was awarded a Green Endorsement, being commended for 'the speed of thought, judgement and total professionalism with which he dealt with a compounding series of circumstances'.
