Prince William’s equerry shares emotional farewell as he returns to Navy
The Prince of Wales’s outgoing equerry has shared an emotional message reflecting on his four-year tenure as he prepares to “swap the top hat and tails” for his Royal Navy uniform.
Lt Commander Rob Dixon was appointed to the royal household in 2020, when the Prince and Princess were one step further from the throne as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
He has served throughout one of the most turbulent periods of royal life in recent history and had a front row seat during two funerals and a coronation.
He has been replaced by Sqd Ldr Mike Reynolds, a helicopter pilot seconded from the RAF.
In a personal post published on LinkedIn, Lt Commander Dixon expressed gratitude for the experiences he had enjoyed and the friendships forged.
The message was accompanied by four photographs of himself alongside Prince William, the Princess of Wales, Prince Harry, and Prince George.
“It’s time to move on,” he wrote.
“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 four years. It’s been a remarkable journey and I look forward to carrying the skills and insights I’ve gained into my next appointments.”
Lt Commander Dixon reflected upon how he had been able to “play a small part” in Prince Philip’s funeral, the Platinum Jubilee, Elizabeth II’s funeral, the King’s coronation “and all the weird and wonderful in between”.
He added: “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.”
‘Swap the top hat and tails’
A royal equerry acts as a form of personal assistant to their charge.
Traditionally, the chosen candidate is seconded from the Armed Forces for three years, with each service taking its turn to provide an officer.
Lt Commander Dixon said: “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.”
Sqd Ldr Reynolds joined the RAF in 2006 and is an Afghanistan veteran.
