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Royal fans have gushed over a ‘hot’ solider that’s featured in King Charles’ latest Instagram post.
The monarch, 76, met military officials and their families during a visit to the Royal Regiment of Artillery in Larkhill on Friday.
After the visit, the Royal Family Instagram posted some snaps from the event, which saw Charles chatting away with soldiers clad in camo uniform.
However, there was one man who stole the show on the social media post from royal enthusiasts.
Sergeant Neil Mitchell, detachment commander and of 14 Regt, 34 Battery, was seen smiling in the background of one of the images wearing a green beret.
The hat signifies when a commando has passed the All Arms Commando Course and has gone through rigorous training with the squad.
Instagram users called Sgt Mitchell ‘handsome’ as they commented on his built physique and ‘killer smile’, indicating that he stole the show from Charles.
Sergeant Neil Mitchell, detachment commander and of 14 Regt, 34 Battery, was seen smiling in the background of one of the images wearing a green beret
One wrote: ‘Are we not going to talk about the green beret guy in the first picture? Good heavens he’s handsome!’
Another penned: ‘I mean, I do love the king, honestly, but my eyes went straight to the really muscly guy with the green beret and killer smile.’
A third said: ‘The photographer understood the assignment.’
A fourth commented: ‘I’m not British but I’ll sing God Save the King ALL day for that gentleman in the first photo,’ while another said: ‘The King’s hand is obscuring my view.’
One person even claimed to be Sgt Mitchell’s sister and wrote: ‘Loving these comments! He’s my brother, he’s 46 and not single, sorry ladies.’
The fans were reacting to a snap of Charles being gifted with an engraved 105mm Cartridge which was fired during Their Majesties’ Coronation to mark the king’s first visit as Captain General.
When asked how King Charles performed when firing the gun, Sgt Mitchell told Forces News: ‘He did awesome, yes. So we gave him a little run-through and then just to make sure he got it right and then when we went live, he nailed it.
‘He was due to come a few months ago and that got postponed. So once we got told he was coming, and especially when I was told that I was going to be detachment commander and he was going to be firing my gun, what an honour, what an honour.’
Instagram users called Sgt Mitchell ‘handsome’ as they commented on his built physique and ‘killer smile’, indicating that he stole the show from Charles
Royal fans commented on the Royal Family’s Instagram account and said their eyes immediately went to Sgt Mitchell
He also praised the King’s firing technique at pulling the firing lever and said: ‘The first one he didn’t give it a good enough pull but the second time was faultless.’
Sgt Mitchell added jokingly: ‘I was going to ask him if he could start on Monday.’
Images and videos of Charles and Sgt Mitchell emerged on Instagram, as the pair laughed together as he instructed the monarch on how to fire the gun.
Charles was seen putting on a set of ear defenders as he sat in the firing seat and called ‘ready’ and visibly winced as he pulled the firing lever.
He was seen grinning ear-to-ear as he successfully set off the artillery piece, before removing the noise-cancelling ear defenders.
And this is not the first time a member of King Charles staff has gathered attention for their good looks.
Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Thompson, also known as the ‘hot equerry’, stole thousands of hearts at King Charles’s Coronation in May 2023.
He first entered the limelight in 2022 for his role in royal public events following the late Queen’s death, and was nicknamed the ‘hot equerry’ after videos of him went viral online.
Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Thompson, also known as the ‘hot equerry’, stole thousands of hearts at King Charles’s Coronation in May 2023
Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Thompson stepped away from his public-facing role last year after reportedly disliking all the attention he was receiving
But it was found that Colonel Thompson was married to a marketing manager called Caroline, whom he wed in 2010.
But it was later revealed that he had quietly separated from his first wife, before finding love again with a PR executive named Olivia.
The pair announced their engagement in 2024 before tying the knot last month at the quaint St Mary’s Church in Great Bedwyn, Wiltshire.
Colonel Thompson has regularly accompanied King Charles and joined the Royal Family on Christmas Day last year.
However, the newlyweds have avoided the spotlight at all costs – with Colonel Thompson stepping away from his public-facing role last year after reportedly disliking all the attention he was receiving.
Charles was seen grinning ear-to-ear with Sgt Mitchell as he successfully set off the artillery piece, before removing the noise-cancelling ear defenders
During Friday’s visit, the National Anthem was played before His Majesty was invited into the officers’ mess where he met personnel including representatives from the newly formed King’s Gurkha Artillery (KGA).
In the dining room, the King had a chance to see historical artefacts including the voluntary artillery officer full dress tunic uniform of his great-grandfather George V.
‘It’s lasted very well,’ he remarked.
The King also had a chance to meet families of the service personnel and representatives of Chelsea Pensioners.
On the grounds, the King was shown some of the high-tech equipment used by the soldiers including the L118 light gun, the Archer artillery system, a multiple launch rocket system and drones.
Staff sergeant Bethan Preston-Newman, of the 104th Regiment based in Newport, Wales, said: ‘It was a once-in-lifetime opportunity to meet the King and really nice to explain what the reserves do.’
Lance Bombardier Rebecca Haynes, also based in Newport, added: ‘It was a great honour to be here and represent the regiment’ – while Lance Bombardier Alexandra Robinson, based in Worcester, said that ‘he is definitely interested in us as people and it’s definitely an honour to be her’.
