Royal Wedding Ahead! Princess Margaret’s Grandson Sam Chatto Engaged After Romantic Proposal With Ring He Made Himself
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Princess Margaret’s grandson, Sam Chatto, has officially announced his engagement to longtime girlfriend Eleanor Ekserdjian, with the couple revealing a deeply personal detail that has captured royal fans’ attention.
Rather than choosing a traditional diamond ring, Sam proposed with a handmade porcelain engagement ring that he crafted himself, reflecting both the couple’s shared passion for art and their understated style.
A Personal Proposal
The happy couple shared the news in a joint Instagram post featuring a series of black-and-white photographs celebrating the special moment.
Sam wrote:
“I’m really delighted to say that Ellie and I are engaged. And we couldn’t be happier.”
He also revealed that he personally made the porcelain engagement ring worn by his future wife, making the proposal even more meaningful.
Buckingham Palace Confirms the Happy News
Buckingham Palace later confirmed the engagement, saying both families are “delighted” and that King Charles is “very happy for them both.”
The Palace also revealed that the couple are expected to marry next spring.
Although Sam is 30th in line to the British throne, he does not carry out official royal duties and instead has built a career as a ceramic artist.
A Romance That Began at University
Sam and Eleanor first met while studying at the University of Edinburgh and have reportedly been together since 2021.
Today, the pair live together in London and both work as artists.
Their shared creative backgrounds extend to both families.
Sam’s mother, Lady Sarah Chatto, is an accomplished painter, while his father, Daniel Chatto, is an actor.
Eleanor also comes from an artistic family, with her father serving as an art history professor and her mother working as an art critic.
Familiar Faces at Royal Events
While not a working royal, Sam regularly joins members of the Royal Family at major occasions.
He attended Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral, King Charles’ Coronation, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding, and most recently appeared alongside Eleanor at Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling’s wedding in June.
Royal watchers had already begun speculating about an engagement after Eleanor attended the Royal Family’s Christmas Day church service in 2024—an invitation traditionally reserved for spouses or serious partners.
Congratulations Pour In
Following the announcement, friends and members of the extended Royal Family quickly shared messages of congratulations.
Among them was Flora Vesterberg, granddaughter of Princess Alexandra, who commented:
“Very happy for both of you.”
With Buckingham Palace confirming wedding plans for next spring, another royal celebration is now officially on the calendar as Sam Chatto and Eleanor Ekserdjian prepare to begin the next chapter of their lives together.
Sources
PEOPLE — Princess Margaret’s Grandson Sam Chatto Is Engaged After Proposing with a Handmade Ring
Buckingham Palace statement
Instagram announcement by Sam Chatto and Eleanor Ekserdjian