The King and Queen, along with the broader family, have shown close ties to Lady Sarah Chatto and her brother, highlighting strong royal bonds.

Sam has appeared at official events with the family, including occasions like the monarchs’ major ceremonies, underscoring his ongoing royal connection.

King Charles has been informed and is reportedly very happy for the couple, with a spring 2027 wedding date being planned; they met at the University of Edinburgh and have dated since 2021.

In 2024, Sam obtained special permission to invite Ellie to spend Christmas at Sandringham with the Royal Family, signaling a closer relationship.

Eleanor’s prior Sandringham Christmas invitations and appearances at royal events have fueled engagement speculation and signal a close royal relationship.

Samuel Chatto is the eldest son of Lady Sarah Chatto and Daniel Chatto, tying him to cousins Viscount Linley and Lady Margarita Armstrong-Jones.

Public interest in the younger royals’ artistic pursuits and personal lives has intensified with the engagement.

Sam Chatto, the artist and ceramicist, announced his engagement to fellow artist Eleanor Ekserdjian (Ellie), marking a high-profile pairing within the younger generation of the Royal Family circle.

The engagement follows a royal wedding season precedent, noting Peter Phillips’s June wedding and attendance by the King, Queen, and other royals and spouses.

The couple live together in London after meeting at university, continuing a long-standing relationship.

Ellie Ekserdjian comes from an artistic family, with her father an art history professor and her mother a Financial Times art critic.

The couple plans a spring wedding next year, with Sam being 30th in line to the throne but not holding royal duties.