Samuel Chatto, the grandson of Princess Margaret and a relative of King Charles III, has announced his engagement to his long-time girlfriend, artist Eleanor Ekserdjian. The 29-year-old ceramicist proposed with a porcelain ring he crafted himself, a detail that highlights his artistic background.
The King has been informed of the happy news and is said to be delighted for the couple, who plan to marry next spring. Sam shared the announcement on Instagram, writing: “I’m really delighted to say that Ellie and I are engaged. And we couldn’t be happier. I proposed with a porcelain ring which I made.”
Who Are Samuel Chatto and Eleanor Ekserdjian?
Samuel Chatto, 29, is the son of Lady Sarah Chatto and Daniel Chatto. Lady Sarah is the daughter of Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, niece of Queen Elizabeth II, and cousin of King Charles III. Sam is 30th in line to the throne but holds no official royal titles or duties. He works as a ceramicist, a craft he developed from a young age, inspired by his father, a former actor turned painter.
Eleanor Ekserdjian, known as Ellie, is a 29-year-old painter and film artist. She is the daughter of Professor David Ekserdjian, an art historian, and Susan Moore. The couple met while studying at the University of Edinburgh and have been together since 2021. They currently live together in London.
Family Reactions and Royal Traditions
Both families are said to be delighted at the engagement. Lady Sarah Chatto and Daniel Chatto, along with Ellie’s parents, have expressed their happiness. In 2024, Sam was granted special permission to invite Ellie to spend Christmas with the Royal Family at Sandringham, a privilege traditionally reserved for married couples. This rule was previously broken in 2017 for Meghan Markle, while other royals like Princess Kate and Mike Tindall had to wait until marriage.
Samuel Chatto’s Artistic Lineage and Education
Sam’s artistic flair is inherited from his father, Daniel Chatto, a renowned painter. Sam said: “I've always had a strong affinity with creating objects, having spent much of my childhood crafting imagined landscapes and sculptural models, which naturally led me to clay during my later years at school.” He was educated at Eton College and later studied history of art at the University of Edinburgh.
Sam is the eldest of Princess Margaret's four grandchildren. His younger brother is Arthur Chatto, and his cousins are Charles Armstrong-Jones, Viscount Linley, and Lady Margarita Armstrong-Jones. The couple recently attended the wedding of Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling.
