AND a Royal who minds his own business, Samuel Chatto. Shy and mysterious, King Charles III’s cousin is 28 years old and leads a very private life. His grandmother was Princess Margaret, a prestigious relationship that ensures him the 29th position in line to the throne. But after several years spent in the shadow of the Windsors, young Sam – as they call him in the family – must now resign himself. Everyone in London talks about him. Because he will be the protagonist of next Royal Wedding.
Who is Samuel Chatto, the shyest Royal
Locked in his laboratory in the West Sussex countryside, far from Buckingham Palace, Sam Chatto has an excellent reputation as a ceramic artist, and he is also a great yoga enthusiast and certified instructor with lots of experience in India. He is rarely seen at court and, being part of the ranks of unimportant Royals, he is no longer even allowed on the balcony of Buckingham Palace next to the king. Which doesn’t bother him at all: Sam has always tried not to attract attention. At least so far.
King Charles III also invited Sam Chatto’s girlfriend
On Christmas Day, during the traditional church walk in Sandringham, the photographers’ lenses inevitably focused on Sam Chatto. The boy was surrounded by his family – his mother Lady Sarah, second daughter of Margaret of England, his father Daniel Chatto and brother Arthur, 25 years old. But surprising all the purists, this year Sam also brought along his girlfriend, Eleanor Ekserdjian.
Samuel Chatto (centre) and girlfriend Eleanor Ekserdjian at Sandringham, 25 December 2015 (Getty Images)
Elizabeth II had already made an exception for Meghan Markle
Girlfriends are not usually allowed into Sandringham for Christmas. Only brides receive the coveted invitation, as happened to Princess Kate, who was forced to wait until after her wedding. But the tradition was eliminated in 2017, when Queen Elizabeth made an exception for Meghan Markle before her marriage to Harry. The young Eleaonor, also 28 years old, was also personally invited by King Charles to the Christmas Eve dinner and was present at all the celebrations of the following days.
Eleanor Ekserdjian and Samuel Chatto together at an event in London, November 2022 (Getty Images)
Eleanor Ekserdjian, the new Royal girlfriend approved by King Charles III
Sam and Eleanor met at Edinburgh University, where they both studied Art, graduating in 2019. Their love story began two years later, but remained far from the spotlight. And while Sam concentrated on ceramics, also going to study in Japan, the young woman preferred to specialize in artistic installations based on painting, film and performance, also participating in various exhibitions.
Buckingham Palace is preparing for a new Royal Wedding
According to British Royal watchers, the presence of the young woman at Sandringham constitutes a clear signal: the British Royal Family is preparing to a new Royal Wedding. The event could even already be planned for 2025. After all, when Meghan was admitted to the exclusive Sandringham Christmas, her wedding to Harry was celebrated less than six months later.
But it won’t be a typically Royal wedding
However, knowing Sam Chatto and taking his natural shyness for granted, no one in Britain is expecting a high-profile nuptials. If it takes place, the Royal Wedding will be conducted as quietly as possible, not in the sumptuous Westminster but in a remote country church, organized in a strictly private manner. And in his typical style, Elizabeth’s nephew he might even decide to announce it only after all.
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