Major Nana Kofi Twumasi-Ankwah, a Ghanaian-born officer who fought in the Afghanistan war, has been selected by Queen Elizabeth as her first black aide.
The 38-year-old Ghanaian, who moved to Britain in 1982 with his parents, is the Queen’s new personal assistant known as equerry and will be seen by the Queen’s side at official events.
As an equerry, Major Twumasi-Ankrah – known as “TA” to his friends – will act as one of the Queen’s most-trusted attendants, assisting her with official engagements and welcoming high profile guests to royal residences, the Times reported.
Historically, the role was created for someone to look after the cavalry’s horses, but in modern times an equerry is expected to be publicly visible as an aide at the Queen’s side.
The appointment is said to be especially important now the Duke of Edinburgh is set to retire from public life this year.
Major TA studied at Queen Mary University in London and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
He joined the Blues and Royals to become the first black British Army officer commissioned into the Household Cavalry and acted as escort commander for the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge – Prince William and Kate Middleton – in 2011.
In the same year, he commanded the Blues and Royals taking part in the Queen’s birthday parade.
He lives in London with his wife, Joanna Hanna-Grindall, who works as the Victoria and Albert Museum’s corporate partnerships manager.
He also commanded a cavalry regiment of the British Army; the Blues and Royals, which took part in a ceremony at the Queen’s birthday parade in the same year.
Video: Major Nana Kofi Twumasi-Ankrah speaks on Britain’s open and democratic
VIDEO: Queen Elizabeth picks Ghanaian as special aide
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