Queen appoints her first black equerry
A GHANAIAN-born officer in the Household Cavalry has made history after the Queen personally picked him for a top position in the Royal Household.
Major Nana Kofi Twumasi-Ankrah will serve as the monarch’s next equerry and is believed to be the first black man appointed to the post. Known as TA to his friends, the 38-year-old served in the Afghanistan war among other high-profile postings in his decorated career.
With Prince Philip retiring later this year, his role as the Queen’s equerry will make him one of her most visible aides, assisting her at official engagements and greeting high-profile guests.
Major Twumasi-Ankrah moved to Britain from Ghana with his parents in 1982 and went on to train at Sandhurst.
He was the first black British Army officer to be commissioned into the Household Cavalry and he acted as an escort commander for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at their wedding in 2011.
The role has in the past been tainted by scandal. One of the most famous was Group Captain Peter Townsend, equerry to George VI, who sensationally began a relationship with Princess Margaret.
Major Twumasi-Ankrah, who is married with two daughters, is working with current equerry, Wing Commander Sam Fletcher, before he takes over this year.
As a child he would watch Trooping the Colour on TV. The major said: ‘I would have never imagined that one day I’d command the regiment which I’d fallen in love with.’