Royal family erupts in joy: Samuel Chatto engaged as King Charles shares delighted reaction
Samuel Chatto is engaged after Buckingham Palace confirmed Princess Margaret’s grandson will marry Eleanor Ekserdjian next spring.
The couple also shared this in a joint Instagram post with black and white photos.
Sam wrote: “I’m really delighted to say that Ellie and I are engaged. And we couldn’t be happier.”
The 29-year-old ceramicist made the proposal especially personal. He used a porcelain ring he made himself.
One photo showed the ring on Eleanor’s hand. Another showed the couple smiling in what appeared to be a photo booth.
Samuel Chatto engaged
This royal engagement did not lean on palace pomp. The handmade ring gave the moment a more intimate feel.
Buckingham Palace confirmed the engagement on Monday, July 13. A spokesperson said both families were “delighted” by the news.
The palace also shared King Charles’ reaction. He is “very happy for them both”.
The wedding will take place next spring. That gives the royal family another major celebration to anticipate.
Why this match already had royal watchers talking
Sam and Eleanor have been dating since 2021. They met while studying at the University of Edinburgh.
Both work as artists and live together in London. Their shared creative life makes the handmade proposal feel especially fitting.
Engagement speculation had already started to build. The pair attended the royal family’s Christmas Day church service in 2024.
That invitation often sparks attention. Many see it as a sign of a serious relationship.
The announcement also drew interest because of Sam’s place in the royal family. He is the son of Lady Sarah Chatto, Princess Margaret’s daughter, and Daniel Chatto.
His mother works as a painter. His father works as an actor.
Eleanor also comes from an artistic family. PEOPLE, citing The Independent, said her father, Professor David Ekserdjian, teaches art history at the University of Leicester.
Her mother, Susan Moore, works as an art critic at the Financial Times. Their backgrounds show a clear creative overlap.
Although Sam is 30th in line to the throne, he does not carry out royal duties. He still appears at some major family events.
