King Charles steps out with rarely-seen cousin who shared a special bond with Queen Elizabeth

Lady Sarah Chatto made a rare public appearance alongside her first cousin, King Charles III, as the monarch kicked off his traditional summer stay in Scotland.

The 62-year-old daughter of the late Princess Margaret joined Charles at the Mey Highland Games in Caithness, Scotland, an annual event with deep ties to the royal family. Lady Sarah, who has spent much of her life outside the spotlight, was photographed alongside the King during the festivities before the cousins reportedly departed together.

Her appearance offered a rare glimpse at one of Charles’s closest family relationships, one that stretches back decades and connects him directly to his late aunt, Princess Margaret.

Lady Sarah joins King Charles in Scotland

The Mey Highland Games took place at the John O’Groats showground, where Charles joined spectators for an afternoon of traditional Scottish competition and entertainment.

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The King wore a traditional kilt for the occasion as he watched events including Highland athletics, tug of war and caber tossing, along with performances from pipe bands and Highland dancers.

Around 2,000 spectators reportedly attended this year’s gathering, where Charles also met participants and congratulated competitors.

The appearance came as the King began his annual summer stay in Scotland. Charles traditionally spends time at the Castle of Mey in Caithness before continuing his summer break at Balmoral.

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The Mey Highland Games have their own special connection to Charles’s family. The modern Games were first held in August 1970, when the local community organized a traditional Highland gathering to celebrate Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother’s 70th birthday.

The Queen Mother became Chieftain of the Games, and after her death in 2002, Charles succeeded his grandmother in the role. He has remained closely associated with the annual event ever since.

A royal relationship that goes back decades

Charles and Sarah’s connection has been visible at some of the most important moments in the King’s life.

© Tim Graham

At just 17, Lady Sarah served as one of the bridesmaids at Charles’s 1981 wedding to Lady Diana Spencer at St Paul’s Cathedral. Years later, she became godmother to Charles and Diana’s younger son, Prince Harry.

Despite her royal connections, Sarah has largely avoided public attention. She married artist and former actor Daniel Chatto in July 1994 at St Stephen Walbrook in London in a notably understated ceremony compared with many royal weddings.

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The couple have two sons, Samuel and Arthur Chatto. Samuel followed his parents into the arts and works as a ceramic artist, while Arthur has served with the Royal Marines.

Lady Sarah’s special bond with Queen Elizabeth

Sarah was also known to have shared a particularly close relationship with her aunt, Queen Elizabeth II.

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As Princess Margaret’s only daughter, Sarah remained a familiar presence at private royal family gatherings and regularly joined the Windsors for major occasions, despite never taking on the responsibilities of a working royal.

In the BBC documentary “Elizabeth at 90: A Family Tribute,” released for the Queen’s 90th birthday in 2016, Sarah appeared alongside other members of the family as they reflected on private home movies and memories of the monarch.

© Andrew Milligan – PA Images

Since Queen Elizabeth’s death in 2022, Sarah has continued to appear at significant family occasions while otherwise maintaining the discreet life she has long preferred.

Her latest outing with Charles follows several appearances with the wider royal family, including Royal Ascot and events connected to the late Queen’s centenary year.

And while Lady Sarah may rarely command the royal spotlight herself, her presence beside Charles at one of his most personal summer traditions was a reminder of the family relationships that continue quietly behind palace walls.