BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY P MAJOR NANA KOFI TWUMASI-ANKRAH
Pride of Afghanistan: Army veteran becomes Queen's first black equerry
IT IS one of the most prestigious roles in the royal household, and a position that requires a unique set of character traits.
By JANE WARREN
Queen appoints Ghanaian-born officer as first black equerry
When an Afghanistan war veteran, known as TA to his friends, takes on the role of equerry to the Queen later this year, he will not only join a very small and exclusive club - there have been just 32 equerries during Her Majesty's 65-year reign - he will also become the first black officer in British history to hold the title.
The timing of the high-profile appointment of Major Nana Kofi Twumasi-Ankrah is particularly significant as the Duke of Edinburgh will retire from official duties in the autumn.
This means that the Ghanaian-born officer from the Household Cavalry, who arrived in the UK with his parents in 1982 when he was three years old, is likely to become the most visible man by the Queen's side in her public appearances by the end of the year.
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The position is normally held for three years and a shortlist of suitable candidates is proposed from each of the Armed Forces in rotation.
Historically, the role was created for someone to look after the cavalry's horses, but today involves acting as one of the Queen's most trusted aides; assisting her with official engagements and welcoming high-profile guests to royal residences.
The appointment is a great honour and follows an exacting selection process to find an element of character described by royal insiders as "that little extra".
Equerries must have the ability to migrate into a new scenario without being fazed or awed. The final choice is the Queen's on recommendation from her advisers.
Major Nana Kofi Twumasi-AnkrahGETTY•CAMERA PRESS
Major Nana Kofi Twumasi-Ankrah will become the 32 equerries during Her Majesty's 65-year reign
He would always make the impossible achievable
Former colleague of Major Twumasi-Ankrah
Major Twumasi-Ankrah has been a pioneering role model since he joined the Blues and Royals following officer training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and a degree at Queen Mary University of London.
"He would always make the impossible achievable," a former colleague said of him.
After becoming the first black British officer to be commissioned into the Household Cavalry, the oldest and most distinguished regiment in the Army, he acted as escort commander for the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2011 and in the same year commanded the Blues and Royals taking part in Trooping the Colour.
The Queen and Prince Philip in pictures: A story of love, loyalty, and longevity
Mon, July 10, 2017
A candid view of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip together as they celebrate 70 years since their engagement
PLAY SLIDESHOW
Queen Elizabeth II Duke of Edinburgh portrait GETTY IMAGES
1 of 22
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh pose for a portrait at home in Buckingham Palace in December 1958
Queen Elizabeth II Duke of Edinburgh portrait
Photo dated 10/07/1947 of Princess Elizabeth and Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten announcing their engagement at Buckingham Palace in London
Photo dated 10/07/1947 of the crowd surrounding the gates of Buckingham Palace to celebrate the engagement of Princess Elizabeth and Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten at Buckingham Palace in London
Photo dated 10/07/1947 of Princess Elizabeth and Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten announcing their engagement at Buckingham Palace in London
Photo dated 10/07/1947 of Princess Elizabeth and Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten announcing their engagement at Buckingham Palace in London
Royal 70th engagement anniversary
August 1951: Princess Elizabeth with her husband Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh and their children Prince Charles and Princess Anne
"As a young child, watching her Majesty the Queen's birthday parade on TV, I would never have imagined that one day I'd command the regiment which I'd fallen in love with," he said during a 2011 Foreign Office documentary on Britain's open and democratic society in which he discussed being the first black officer commissioned to lead 120 men and their horses.
Had he been told that at the age of 38 he would be about to embark on his prominent new role he would probably not have believed that either.
In his new position he can expect a certain intimacy within the royal household.
Major Nana Kofi Twumasi-AnkrahGETTY
Major Twumasi-Ankrah role will be particularly significant as Prince Philip retires from duties
Wherever the Queen goes she takes her equerry and a lady-in-waiting. They work together to help put her guests at ease and are the first port of call for anyone being presented to the Queen, unless it's a senior statesman or woman, in which case one of the senior members of the Royal Family will take on the first introductions.
The role extends beyond public appearances. If the Queen has house guests the equerry is there to assist in the hosting.
The position also involves dealing with the many areas of royal household activities, including logistics, cars and co-ordination with the police, to ensure everything runs smoothly.
The challenge lies in trying to ensure the Queen and her guests are comfortable, while remaining one step ahead of the process.
Major Twumasi-AnkrahGETTY
His appointment by the Queen has been Major Twumasi-Ankrah the first black officer to hold the role
Good communication at every level is key to being an equerry, as is remaining composed in unusual circumstances, including proximity to the Queen, her family and visiting dignitaries.
The role requires immense discretion but has been associated with scandal, namely when Group Captain Peter Townsend, ship a divorced Battle of Britain pilot who served as equerry to George VI, became romantically involved with Princess Margaret who was 16 years his junior.
The relationship caused a furore when it emerged they wished to marry. The father of two helped Margaret to write the statement in which she announced that "mindful of the Church's teaching" she would not marry him; a reference to his position as a divorcee.
Princess Margaret and Peter TownsendGETTY
Princess Margaret became romantically involved with her equerry Group Captain Peter Townsend
Many believe she never recovered from the disappointment of not being able to marry the man she loved.
As for Major Twumasi-Ankrah, he is married to Joanna Hanna-Grindall, a British-born arts graduate, who works as a corporate partnerships manager at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
The couple have two young daughters. "From where I sit and from what I've seen in the UK, our cultures really do mix and intermingle," he said. "And if I'm not a good example of that I really don't know what is."
IT IS one of the most prestigious roles in the royal household, and a position that requires a unique set of character traits.
By JANE WARREN
Queen appoints Ghanaian-born officer as first black equerry
When an Afghanistan war veteran, known as TA to his friends, takes on the role of equerry to the Queen later this year, he will not only join a very small and exclusive club - there have been just 32 equerries during Her Majesty's 65-year reign - he will also become the first black officer in British history to hold the title.
The timing of the high-profile appointment of Major Nana Kofi Twumasi-Ankrah is particularly significant as the Duke of Edinburgh will retire from official duties in the autumn.
This means that the Ghanaian-born officer from the Household Cavalry, who arrived in the UK with his parents in 1982 when he was three years old, is likely to become the most visible man by the Queen's side in her public appearances by the end of the year.
RELATED ARTICLES
Violinist who faked burglary for violent partner walks free
Duchess of Cambridge vs Queen Letizia: Royals have VERY style
The position is normally held for three years and a shortlist of suitable candidates is proposed from each of the Armed Forces in rotation.
Historically, the role was created for someone to look after the cavalry's horses, but today involves acting as one of the Queen's most trusted aides; assisting her with official engagements and welcoming high-profile guests to royal residences.
The appointment is a great honour and follows an exacting selection process to find an element of character described by royal insiders as "that little extra".
Equerries must have the ability to migrate into a new scenario without being fazed or awed. The final choice is the Queen's on recommendation from her advisers.
Major Nana Kofi Twumasi-AnkrahGETTY•CAMERA PRESS
Major Nana Kofi Twumasi-Ankrah will become the 32 equerries during Her Majesty's 65-year reign
He would always make the impossible achievable
Former colleague of Major Twumasi-Ankrah
Major Twumasi-Ankrah has been a pioneering role model since he joined the Blues and Royals following officer training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and a degree at Queen Mary University of London.
"He would always make the impossible achievable," a former colleague said of him.
After becoming the first black British officer to be commissioned into the Household Cavalry, the oldest and most distinguished regiment in the Army, he acted as escort commander for the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2011 and in the same year commanded the Blues and Royals taking part in Trooping the Colour.
The Queen and Prince Philip in pictures: A story of love, loyalty, and longevity
Mon, July 10, 2017
A candid view of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip together as they celebrate 70 years since their engagement
PLAY SLIDESHOW
Queen Elizabeth II Duke of Edinburgh portrait GETTY IMAGES
1 of 22
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh pose for a portrait at home in Buckingham Palace in December 1958
Queen Elizabeth II Duke of Edinburgh portrait
Photo dated 10/07/1947 of Princess Elizabeth and Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten announcing their engagement at Buckingham Palace in London
Photo dated 10/07/1947 of the crowd surrounding the gates of Buckingham Palace to celebrate the engagement of Princess Elizabeth and Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten at Buckingham Palace in London
Photo dated 10/07/1947 of Princess Elizabeth and Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten announcing their engagement at Buckingham Palace in London
Photo dated 10/07/1947 of Princess Elizabeth and Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten announcing their engagement at Buckingham Palace in London
Royal 70th engagement anniversary
August 1951: Princess Elizabeth with her husband Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh and their children Prince Charles and Princess Anne
"As a young child, watching her Majesty the Queen's birthday parade on TV, I would never have imagined that one day I'd command the regiment which I'd fallen in love with," he said during a 2011 Foreign Office documentary on Britain's open and democratic society in which he discussed being the first black officer commissioned to lead 120 men and their horses.
Had he been told that at the age of 38 he would be about to embark on his prominent new role he would probably not have believed that either.
In his new position he can expect a certain intimacy within the royal household.
Major Nana Kofi Twumasi-AnkrahGETTY
Major Twumasi-Ankrah role will be particularly significant as Prince Philip retires from duties
Wherever the Queen goes she takes her equerry and a lady-in-waiting. They work together to help put her guests at ease and are the first port of call for anyone being presented to the Queen, unless it's a senior statesman or woman, in which case one of the senior members of the Royal Family will take on the first introductions.
The role extends beyond public appearances. If the Queen has house guests the equerry is there to assist in the hosting.
The position also involves dealing with the many areas of royal household activities, including logistics, cars and co-ordination with the police, to ensure everything runs smoothly.
The challenge lies in trying to ensure the Queen and her guests are comfortable, while remaining one step ahead of the process.
Major Twumasi-AnkrahGETTY
His appointment by the Queen has been Major Twumasi-Ankrah the first black officer to hold the role
Good communication at every level is key to being an equerry, as is remaining composed in unusual circumstances, including proximity to the Queen, her family and visiting dignitaries.
The role requires immense discretion but has been associated with scandal, namely when Group Captain Peter Townsend, ship a divorced Battle of Britain pilot who served as equerry to George VI, became romantically involved with Princess Margaret who was 16 years his junior.
The relationship caused a furore when it emerged they wished to marry. The father of two helped Margaret to write the statement in which she announced that "mindful of the Church's teaching" she would not marry him; a reference to his position as a divorcee.
Princess Margaret and Peter TownsendGETTY
Princess Margaret became romantically involved with her equerry Group Captain Peter Townsend
Many believe she never recovered from the disappointment of not being able to marry the man she loved.
As for Major Twumasi-Ankrah, he is married to Joanna Hanna-Grindall, a British-born arts graduate, who works as a corporate partnerships manager at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
The couple have two young daughters. "From where I sit and from what I've seen in the UK, our cultures really do mix and intermingle," he said. "And if I'm not a good example of that I really don't know what is."
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