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Queen Elizabeth II

The Queen appoints her first black equerry

The Queen has hired her first ever black equerry – Ghanaian-born Major Nana Kofi Twumasi-Ankrah.

The 38-year-old will be tasked with supporting the monarch at her official engagements, which include public engagements and private audiences at Buckingham Palace.

He will likely be “the most visible man by the Queen’s side” due to the imminent retirement of Duke of Edinburgh.

According to The Sunday Times, Major Twumasi-Ankrah moved to the UK from Ghana with his parents in 1982 before studying at Queen Mary University of London and the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst.

Major Twumasi-Ankrah was handpicked by The Queen and had previously served in Afghanistan. He also served as escort commander at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2011.

The Queen’s new equerry also commanded a cavalry regiment of the British Army, the Blues and Royals.

Major Twumasi-Ankrah will replace Wing Commander Sam Fletcher as equerry later this year.

Sam Fletcher has been Her Majesty’s equerry since 2015 and has been an important part of The Queen’s work life.

He was recently seen in the carriage procession at Royal Ascot, and also welcomed Prime Minister Theresa May to Buckingham Palace when she asked The Queen for permission to form a government.

Before it was announced Major Twumasi-Ankrah would be appointed to the role, he had previously said: “I would have never imagined that one day I’d command the regiment which I’d fallen in love with.”

The appointment of Major Twumasi-Ankrah as equerry is another step forward in clearing any perceptions about racial discrimination the Royal Household.

Earlier this year, The Queen appointed her first ever black female Lord-Lieutenant – the first to hold the position in its 1000 year history.

Peaches Golding OBE is responsible for representing The Queen at official engagements in Bristol.

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