Princess Margaret’s grandson Sam Chatto is officially headed down the aisle after announcing his engagement to longtime girlfriend Eleanor Ekserdjian, and doing so in a way that broke from royal tradition.
Rather than proposing with a traditional diamond engagement ring, the 29-year-old ceramic artist crafted a one-of-a-kind white porcelain ring himself in his West Sussex studio.
The unique piece reflected the couple’s shared passion for art and made the proposal especially personal. The pair announced their engagement on Monday, July 13, by sharing a series of black-and-white photographs on Instagram, including a close-up of the handmade ring.
“I’m really delighted to say that Ellie and I are engaged,” Sam wrote alongside the post. “And we couldn’t be happier.” Buckingham Palace later confirmed the engagement, with a spokesperson revealing that King Charles III had been informed of the happy news and is “very happy” for the couple.
Sam’s parents, Lady Sarah Chatto and Daniel Chatto, as well as Eleanor’s family, are also said to be delighted. The couple is expected to marry in spring 2027, although an exact wedding date and venue have not yet been announced.
© Dave BenettThe engagement marks a new chapter for the London-based couple, who first met while studying history of art at the University of Edinburgh. They have reportedly been together since 2021 and share not only a home but also successful careers in the art world.
Sam, who is 30th in line to the British throne, has largely forged a life outside the royal spotlight. The eldest son of Lady Sarah Chatto and the eldest grandson of the late Princess Margaret, he trained at the Royal Drawing School before completing an intensive pottery apprenticeship in Japan under renowned ceramic master Yagi Akira.
© Sam Chatto/IGToday, he works as a professional ceramicist and printmaker from his studio in West Sussex. Eleanor, known as Ellie, is also an accomplished artist.
An abstract painter and filmmaker, she has exhibited internationally and recently presented her first solo exhibition, ‘We Are Our Mountains,’ at Messums London. Inspired by landscapes in the United Kingdom and Armenia, the exhibition combined paintings with immersive sound installations.
© Karwai TangShe also released her film ‘Imagined Landscapes’ in 2024 and has completed artistic residencies in both Japan and Armenia.
The couple’s artistic backgrounds extend beyond their own careers. Eleanor’s father, Professor David Ekserdjian, is a respected art historian and film scholar at the University of Leicester, while her mother, Susan Moore, is an art critic for the Financial Times.
Although Sam is not a working member of the royal family, Eleanor has already become a familiar face at royal gatherings. She joined members of the royal family for the traditional Christmas Day church service at Sandringham in December 2024, fueling speculation that an engagement could be on the horizon.
© Chris JacksonSam is Princess Margaret’s eldest grandchild and King Charles III’s first cousin once removed. While he occasionally attends major royal events, including Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral and King Charles’ coronation, he has largely chosen a quieter life centered on his creative work rather than official royal duties.
Now, with wedding plans underway for spring 2027, the couple is preparing for their next milestone together. Fittingly for two artists, it all began with a proposal that reflected their shared creativity, complete with a handcrafted porcelain ring that made this royal engagement unlike most others.
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