Princess Margaret’s Grandson Samuel Chatto Makes a Rare Solo Appearance at the Royal Academy of Arts

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The late Princess Margaret’s four grandchildren keep a lower profile than their cousins, but on occasion, one will make a rare appearance at a public event. Earlier this week, her eldest grandson Samuel Chatto—the son of Lady Sarah and Daniel Chatto—stepped out solo for a private viewing of the new exhibition “Painting The French Riviera” at The Royal Academy of Arts in London.

Dressed in an all black suit, Chatto, 30, posed for photos by himself at the event. The exhibition, which opens this Friday, October 2, looks at how the French Riviera “supported the rise of modern art – and later became a travel destination and film location that epitomised midcentury sophistication,” featuring works by Paul Cezanne, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Claude Monet, among others.

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Chatto on September 28, 2026.

Chatto, an artist, announced his engagement this summer to his longtime girlfriend, Eleanor Ekserdjian. He proposed with a porcelain engagement ring that he designed. The couple are planning to marry in spring 2027, but no specific date has been announced yet.

Their last public appearance was in June 2026, for the wedding of Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling.

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Samuel Chatto and Eleanor Ekserdjian arrive for the wedding of Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling.

Chatto is one of the rare members of the extended British royal family who maintain a public Instagram profile. On his page, he describes himself simply as “Maker” with a link to his website, samchatto.com. His last post features an announcement from Sokyo Gallery in Kyoto about a solo exhibition featuring his ceramic works.

“Approximately 50 new works will be on view, including symbolic tea bowls made using clay from Sussex, England, as well as works Sam created during his visit to Japan this spring,” Sokyo Gallery notes. “At Sokyo Annex, we will also present, for the first time in Kyoto, collaborative works by photographer Coppi Barbieri, painter and filmmaker Eleanor Ekserdjian, and Sam Chatto.”

Emily Burack (she/her) is the Deputy Digital Editor for Town & Country, where she covers entertainment, celebrities, the royals, and a wide range of other topics. Before joining T&C, she was the deputy managing editor at Hey Alma, a Jewish culture site. Follow her @emburack on Instagram, Twitter, and other social media platforms.