The British royal family is renowned for its adherence to long-standing traditions, especially during the festive season. One such custom is the exclusive Christmas Day walk from Sandringham House to St. Mary Magdalene Church, typically reserved for Royal family members and the annual Christmas lunch.
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Considering how sacred the Royal Family’s Christmas traditions are, King Charles made headlines by bending an age-old rule. For decades, only married partners were allowed to attend the annual Sandringham Christmas festivities. However, in a surprising move, the King—whose coronation cost £72M—extended a warm invitation to Samuel Chatto’s girlfriend, Eleanor Ekserdjian.
King Charles allows Samuel Chatto to bring his girlfriend to a big Royal tradition
The precedent was first set by the late Queen Elizabeth in 2017 when Meghan Markle joined Prince Harry at Sandringham five months before their wedding. This year, Samuel Chatto—grandson of Princess Margaret—and Eleanor made their Christmas debut together. According to MailOnline, this move has delighted royal watchers and sparked speculation about what 2025 may hold for the couple.
Samuel and Eleanor have been dating since 2021 and both are University of Edinburgh graduates—where the pair first crossed paths. Eleanor, 28, is no stranger to the art world being the daughter of an arts professor. An accomplished artist herself, she has often referred to Samuel as her muse. The sentiment is mirrored in her paintings.
The couple’s Christmas debut at Sandringham has sparked whispers of an engagement, with royal insiders hinting that King Charles’ approval could pave the way for wedding bells shortly. An observer remarked:
This is a clear sign that there will be a royal wedding in the new year.
Who is Samuel Chatto?
Samuel Chatto, the eldest son of Lady Sarah Chatto and Daniel Chatto, occupies a unique space in the royal family. Born on July 28, 1996, he is 29th in line to the British throne, reports Town & Country magazine.
Despite his royal lineage, Samuel has carved out a path far removed from the pomp and circumstance of palace life. An Eton-educated History of Art graduate from the University of Edinburgh, Samuel is a ceramicist and sculptor with a passion for creating intricate, handcrafted works.
After completing his studies, Samuel honed his artistic skills during a six-week apprenticeship at North Shore Pottery and later pursued further training at the Royal Drawing School, reports Hello!. His ceramics, inspired by nature and transformation, have been showcased in exhibitions and are highly sought after.
In addition to his work as an artist, Samuel is also a certified yoga instructor. In 2018, he spent six weeks in India, where he completed a 200-hour yoga teacher training programme. Reflecting on the experience, Samuel described it as transformative, helping him connect more deeply with himself and others.
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Sources used:
MailOnline: Are we set for a royal engagement in the new year?
Town & Country Magazine: Who Is Princess Margaret's Grandson Samuel Chatto?
Hello!: Meet Samuel Chatto as he sparks engagement rumours amid Christmas debut with girlfriend
