Sandringham – This year’s Christmas celebration by the British royal family revealed many surprises. Both King Charles (76) and Princess Kate (42) managed to join the church service despite a challenging year battling cancer. However, the presence of Eleanor Ekserdjian (28), the girlfriend of royal family member Samuel Chatto (28), also drew attention.
Eleanor Ekserdjian’s surprising participation in the royal celebration at Sandringham harks back to 2017, when Meghan Markle (43) was invited before her wedding to Prince Harry (40). Meghan was the first to spend Christmas at Sandringham before officially marrying into the royal family. At the time, this exception to the rule signaled an upcoming royal wedding.
It seemed unfair: Kate Middleton had to wait until she became the Duchess of Cambridge to be invited to Sandringham, while Sophie Rhys-Jones (59) wasn’t allowed to stay until she married Prince Edward (60) and received the title of Countess of Wessex. Under King Charles, Ekserdjian’s participation doesn’t seem to raise questions; for him, every opportunity appears to be a celebration aimed at rejuvenating the monarchy.
Moreover, Samuel’s intentions appear to be serious. The eldest son of the King’s cousin and Eleanor Ekserdjian share a mutual passion for art. Samuel has a keen interest in pottery and ceramics, honing his skills in Japan under renowned potter Yagi Akira (59). On the other hand, Eleanor is a successful painter and filmmaker, with her works displayed in galleries. Her artistic roots run deep; her father, Professor David Ekserdjian (69), is a respected art historian.
The public and royal watchers are now speculating whether Eleanor might assume the role of the new Meghan Markle within the royal family. Her participation in the celebration could be a sign that the royal family is ready to welcome her into their ranks. However, unlike Meghan, Eleanor is likely less inclined toward self-promotion; she rarely makes frequent appearances or posts much on her Instagram. And let’s not forget: Meghan Markle is no longer invited to celebrate with the royal family.
