Comments flooded social media as users tried to identify the man. “Who is the guy in the upper left making a face at Catherine?” one asked. Another echoed, “Who’s the guy behind the Duke of Gloucester?” while a third wondered, “Who’s the guy staring at Catherine?”

Some speculated he was a “bodyguard,” while others guessed, “The Princess of Wales’s private secretary.” Another commenter wrote, “Why does he have medals? He looks annoyed.”

The Man Revealed: Kate’s Private Secretary

The “mystery man” turned out to be Lieutenant Colonel Tom White — Kate Middleton’s private secretary.

Lt Col White first joined the royal household in 2020 as the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Squire, a prestigious role he held until her passing in September 2022. He was notably the first Royal Marines commando ever to hold that position.

Following a public engagement he attended with the Princess of Wales in 2023, Lt Col White officially joined the household of the Prince and Princess of Wales. His appointment came after the departure of Kate’s long-serving private secretary, Hannah Cockburn-Logie, who left the role in October 2022 after two years of service.

The Role of a Private Secretary

Within the royal household, a private secretary operates much like a chief of staff, overseeing every aspect of a royal’s professional life — from planning engagements to preparing detailed briefings for official meetings. They also accompany royals during public appearances, staying close by to ensure everything runs smoothly and securely.

So, while his appearance in the royal box may have seemed mysterious to some, Lieutenant Colonel Tom White was simply doing what he does best — quietly ensuring the Princess of Wales’s evening went according to plan.