Princess Margaret's Grandchildren Have Grown Up Fast

Modern royals — from Prince William and Prince Harry to Princess Catherine and Duchess Meghan — might be in the spotlight on a regular basis, but they weren't always the stars of the show. Back in the day, it was Queen Elizabeth II's younger sister, Princess Margaret, who captured the world's attention and had everyone wrapped around her little finger. Arguably the more opulent of the two sisters, Margaret quickly became synonymous with high society life. She was a common presence on the party scene, a surprising drinker who was often seen holding a glass and a cigarette, and her early dalliance with a divorcee quickly generated scandal-ridden headlines. Margaret was, by many accounts, a maverick in her own right — when she finally did marry and have children of her own, such an era of her life wouldn't last for long.

Margaret married Antony Armstrong-Jones in 1960 and had two children — Lady Sarah Chatto and David Armstrong-Jones. Though she was a keen mother and a working royal, Margaret shockingly got divorced from Antony in 1978 and spent the rest of her life romantically involved, but never married. By the time of her tragic death in 2002, Margaret had become — by many accounts — a recluse who was seldom seen outside the palace walls. Despite the downturn her life took by the end, Margaret's legacy has been secured by her children and grandchildren, some of whom were with her right until the very end.

Princess Margaret may have had some wild stories from her party days, but on July 28, 1996, she embarked on a new journey as a grandmother. Indeed, it was on this day that Margaret's daughter, Lady Sarah Chatto, welcomed a son with her husband, Daniel Chatto. The couple named their baby Samuel Chatto and celebrated his birth in true royal fashion — that is, on the front steps of Portland Hospital. Despite these elite beginnings, Samuel did not spend much time in the spotlight following his grand debut. Instead, he spent most of his childhood studying at Eton College and preparing for a life beyond the walls of Buckingham Palace.

As 30th in line to the British throne, Samuel may exist on the edge of royal life, but that doesn't mean that he hasn't inherited any of the other family talents. Like his grandfather, Antony Armstrong-Jones, the first Count of Snowdon before him, Samuel is an artist. But whereas Armstrong-Jones took cutting edge photographs, Samuel fell in love with other artistic practices. This much was clear during his time at the University of Edinburgh, where he earned a master's degree in History of Art in 2018. The young creative also proved his talents at the Royal Drawing School, an institution popular among up-and-coming British artists. Per his alumni profile, Samuel was drawn to exploring the transformative process of art in printmaking and ceramics.

Samuel Chatto might be a royal and the grandson of Princess Margaret, but his life is far more on the normal side of things than his counterparts, no doubt thanks to his lack of title and distance from the throne. Unlike other royals who have worked under the guise of the firm, Sam found his own professional and creative path. After finishing his studies at the University of Edinburgh, Sam pursued a career as a potter.

Luckily for royal fans, Sam is not restricted by the no social media rule that many royals have to live with. As such, he's shared his professional journey on Instagram and has detailed his line of work on multiple occasions. For instance, in 2018, Sam revealed that he took part in a six-week apprenticeship at Scotland's North Shore Pottery. Taking to Instagram about the experience, he wrote, "I spent six weeks in the very north of Scotland immersed in pottery and ceramics, being taught by the most patient and passionate potter. Clay consumed my every waking hour and I am so excited to see what I can achieve this year!"

By the following year, Margaret's grandson was showing his pottery at At The Chapel, a Somerset-located restaurant, and detailing what was coming next in his career. He even launched a website which detailed his creative process and showed his work in an online gallery.

While Samuel Chatto's At The Chapel exhibition may have been impressive, that event was only the beginning. Samuel's career as a potter and ceramicist has only seemed to skyrocket since those original artistic beginnings. In late 2024, he was able to fulfill an artistic residency in Norway. During this time, he challenged himself to use new materials and find inspiration in a new environment. As Samuel explained in an interview with RAM Galleri, "I was working predominantly in porcelain before this residency, and this [project] was a chance to explore working with some local clays, working with different materials, and kind of creating new processes and new combinations of materials" (via Facebook). He went on to show off a gorgeous piece that combined stoneware clay and porcelain into a single object — an item of which he certainly appeared proud.

But, if Samuel's time in Norway was a triumph, it was nothing compared to his other successes. The young royal also completed an apprenticeship in Japan, studying different ceramic approaches. As he shared in an Instagram video, "In Japan and in the West, we throw in very different ways. And, in Japan the way of throwing gives the artist much more an impression of the interior form." Armed with this information, Samuel was inspired to create a new line of work. He presented the final product at Sokyo Gallery in Kyoto, Japan — and titled his exposition "Interior and Exterior."

It's always exciting when a new batch of royals come onto the scene (sorry Prince William and Prince Harry, but there are other dashing young men in your extended family for us to pay attention to). When it was time for King Charles III to finally be crowned on May 6, 2023, Samuel Chatto and his family were present for the big day, and royal watchers definitely took notice. It was only a matter of time before Samuel was dubbed the new royal hottie on social media, being labeled by some as a hunky heartthrob who almost stole the show.

The estimation is not far off. Samuel looked particularly suave while attending the Westminster Abbey event, wearing a formal morning suit accompanied by a maroon tie and military medals. He was seated in what appears to be the fifth row according to photos on the day in question, and while he was farther back than some crushing royal watchers may have liked, that didn't stop him from bringing a certain amount of swag to the coronation.

Approximately one year after his graduation from the University of Edinburgh, Samuel Chatto explored a different kind of interest — something sportier. However, unlike Prince Harry, whose passion for polo led to a Netflix show, Samuel pursued a sport that was totally horse-free. Indeed, in 2019, the young royal set off to India, where he pursued an intensive yoga course. As he wrote on Instagram following this experience, "I also had the most amazing six weeks in India, four of which where spent completing my 200h Yoga Teacher Training! Although I have no plans of teaching anytime soon, it was an incredibly eye opening experience which I am so deeply grateful for." So much for joining the ranks of royals who work totally regular jobs!

Despite Samuel's choice to study yoga just for fun, he was able to garner a lot from the experience. Not only did he make new friends but he also came to understand himself on a deeper level. Describing this change in the caption of the aforementioned Instagram post, Samuel shared, "So grateful and so excited for a new year full of deeper connections with myself and those around me."

Samuel Chatto has previously been described as one of Britain's most eligible bachelors, but it seems that Princess Margaret's grandson has not been romantically available for some time. He has been linked to the artist Eleanor Ekserdjian since 2021, and the two have often been spotted together at National Gallery Events. In 2024, things seemed to get pretty serious between Samuel and Ekserdjian — both professionally and romantically. That July, the duo participated in the same group exhibition at the Redfern Gallery in London. Six months later, Ekserdjian was photographed attending the British royal family's Christmas at Sandringham on Samuel's arm.

Interestingly, Ekserdjian's inclusion in the Sandringham event drew comparisons to Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex. After all, Meghan was only invited to attend the special gathering once it became clear that she and Prince Harry would marry. And, although Samuel and Ekserdjian had not announced an engagement as December 2024, their shared Christmas plans sparked rumors of an engagement. Of course, it goes without saying that Ekserdjian lacks Meghan's same level of fame — and the controversy that goes along with it. However, as an accomplished artist in her own right, Ekserdjian stands to potentially join the Duchess of Sussex as one of the few professional women in the British royal family.

Samuel Chatto is not Princess Margaret's only grandchild. The late princess' daughter, Lady Sarah Chatto, and son-in-law, Daniel Chatto, also welcomed a second son named Arthur Chatto on February 5, 1999. But, whereas Samuel Chatto's arrival involved all the pomp of an official presentation to the press on the steps of Portland Hospital, Arthur's birth remained under-the-radar and paparazzi-free. While this apparent snub may have troubled a different sort of fame-seeking aristocrat, Arthur seems unbothered by his relative anonymity. In fact, he has remained largely out of the public eye — even if he is occasionally spotted at royal events like Christmas at Sandringham Castle and the Royal Ascot. 

Like his older brother, Arthur studied at Eton College before enrolling the University of Edinburgh. However, if Samuel developed a passion for the arts, Arthur dedicated his time to geography. During his time at university, Arthur was also known for his romantic connection to fellow student Lizzie Friend. Things between the pair were going swimmingly as of 2020 when a friend even told the Daily Mail, "They hit it off straight away. She's really sweet and they make a very nice couple." That being said, by 2024, Arthur had made Elle Australia's list of hot single royals, making him one of England's most eligible bachelors. He has been lauded for his good looks, even becoming a brand ambassador for high-end items like Elliot Brown Watches and Jöttnar outdoor wear. 

Like his older brother Samuel Chatto, Arthur Chatto is not discouraged from using social media like some of his other royal counterparts. Back in the day, the dashing grandson of Princess Margaret was active on Instagram and often shared hunky photos that made him the subject of even more online crushes. However, one event in the public eye seemed to be just a little too much for Arthur, and he subsequently deleted his social media accounts.

Attending the Service of Thanksgiving at St. Paul's Cathedral amid Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebration in 2022, Arthur was spotted alongside Samuel, attending the event and looking particularly handsome while doing so. Naturally, social media erupted over the dishy royal, and the comment section of his Instagram was popping off with crushes, comments, and even some marriage proposals. It may have all been a little too much for Arthur, who quickly deleted his Instagram page — apart from a number of fan pages dedicated to the royal, Arthur's Instagram is still deactivated as of publication.

The jubilee wasn't the first time that Arthur had received so much attention. In 2019, Vanity Fair (via Express) called him the "new royal bachelor." While many would seek out such publicity, Arthur appears to prefer life without it.

While Samuel Chatto pursued a career in the arts, Arthur Chatto turned his attention to athleticism and extreme sports. Back in 2020, he took part in the Great Britain Row Challenge, and the entire undertaking was extremely impressive. The row challenge consisted of one goal — race the entirety of Great Britain's coastline, in a row boat, without stopping. And we really mean without stopping — 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for as long as it takes.

Arthur chatted with The Telegraph ahead of the race, detailing that he and his teammates were about to kick off the event from London's Tower Bridge and would keep rowing until the event was complete. In the history of the event at the time Arthur took part, only four teams had ever finished the challenge, and it took one group almost an entire month.

"I'd probably say I was worried about capsizing," Arthur said cheekily about the challenge when speaking to the publication. "But we should be harnessed in, and it is a self-righting boat, so in theory if we do capsize, we should flip back around." Turning his attention to his family and any worries they had about him, Arthur retorted, "With my mum, I think it's always best not to tell her the full details and then she can't get too worried. Then, when you're back — touch wood — she won't worry as much."

Arthur Chatto has less of a royal profile than other members of the family, and he decided to leave the high life behind and join the Royal Marines. He was the first royal to enlist in the Royal Marines since Prince Edward, and his decision to do so was lauded by the queen and her son. Speaking to The U.S. Sun, a royal insider commented on the matter, telling the publication that the queen was delighted at Arthur's decision and that Edward specifically would be helping him gear up for the undertaking.

"[Arthur] told the queen all about it and she's pleased and proud. Prince Edward has been very supportive. Arthur has even been going off into the wilds at Balmoral with all his kit and camping out as he prepares for the commando training," the inside source said at the time, adding that Arthur would be hitting the ground running when it came to his time in the Royal Marines.

"He has gone straight into the officer training in this year's intake and is very keen and up for it. It's a dead cert he'll get a lot further than Prince Edward ever did," the source coolly detailed, adding that Edward only served three years while in university before dropping out. And, unsurprisingly, Arthur has gotten quite a lot of attention when appearing in uniform.

Charles Patrick Inigo Armstrong-Jones was born on July 1, 1999 to Daniel Armstrong-Jones, 2nd Earl of Snowdon and Serena Armstrong-Jones, Countess of Snowdon. And, although Charles is younger than both Samuel Chatto and Arthur Chatto, he is the only one of Princess Margaret's grandsons to bear a title. The reason? British titles are passed down through the tradition of male primogeniture. Because of this, Princess Margaret's once-husband, Anthony Armstrong-Jones, passed his Earl of Snowdon title down to his son, Daniel. One day, upon his death, Daniel will pass his earldom down to his eldest son, Charles — making him the 3rd Earl of Snowdon. In the meantime, however, Charles holds the title of Viscount Linley, setting him apart from his cousins, Samuel and Arthur.

Rank is not the only factor differentiating Charles from Margaret's other two grandsons. Unlike the Chatto siblings, Charles actually spent a couple of years living in Kensington Palace. As reported by the Daily Mail, Charles and his family hoped to remain close to Margaret as she approached her final days. And, while the Viscount Linly was quite young at the time, he seems to have absorbed some of his late grandmother's passion for music. As Charles' sister, Lady Margarita Armstrong-Jones, told Tatler, "He is very into his orchestral music. He is self-taught [and he] can sing, play the piano and the guitar. It's wonderful."

When Charles Armstrong-Jones, Viscount Linley, was a child, his life was certainly a lot different than most. Not only did he live in Kensington Palace with Princess Margaret in his early years, but Antony Armstrong-Jones, Earl of Snowdon, was often by his side and shared his love of photography with his grandchildren. Charles became a Page of Honor and was certainly more in the royal spotlight than his cousins. However, although he is titled and has the connection to the crown, he has since retreated from public life.

Charles is 27th in line to the British throne as of publication, following his father who is in the 26th slot. Given that he is so far away from the crown, Charles left his royal life behind as a young adult and focused instead on academics. After attending Eton College, Charles enrolled at Loughborough University where he studied product design engineering. Teasing royal watchers with an appearance alongside the queen in 2019 while attending a church service in Balmoral, Scotland, Charles has kept his life relatively private since. Like Samuel and Arthur Chatto, Charles is not hindered by the no social media rule and does have an Instagram account. However, his account is private and he has just over 400 followers as of publication — clearly, he is happy living the quiet life.

Lady Margarita Armstrong-Jones is fundamentally different from Princess Margaret's other grandchildren. For one thing, she is the late princess' only granddaughter. But, for another, she remains the only one of Margaret's grandchildren to have been born following the princess' tragic death in February 2002. Born on May 14, 2002 to Daniel Armstrong-Jones, 2nd Earl Snowdon, and Serena Armstrong-Jones, Countess Snowdon, Margarita shares a strong family resemblance with Margaret. Like her grandmother before her, Margarita is a socialite who loves a good party. Over the years, she has been spotted at all sorts of royal events — and was even a bridesmaid in Prince William and Princess Catherine's 2011 wedding.

But, whereas Margaret was once criticized for having far too much fun, Margarita has enjoyed the privileges of a lower rank — and the quieter life that goes along with it. She was even able to spend a considerable amount of time away from England, summering at her family's estate at Château d'Autet in the south of France. Speaking to Tatler about this in 2020, the princess' granddaughter described the freedom that she experienced at this tremendous property: "We could run wild and have friends over, it was a very relaxed, beautiful place. It was an old farmhouse — it wasn't anything crazy — and they turned it into a beautiful house with lots of places for people to stay and have a fun, relaxed time." 

She may be on the more normal side of royalty, but Lady Margarita Armstrong-Jones certainly wouldn't miss an opportunity to dress up. The coronation of King Charles III was the perfect excuse to go all out, and the dazzling socialite lit up Westminster Abbey with her outfit of choice on May 6, 2023. Joined by her family members, Margarita chose a stunning pale pink ensemble for the event, adding a bit of color to an otherwise gray day. The look was a custom piece from Beatrice Ferrant, a Paris-based designer — which, given Margarita's love of the city, makes total sense — and was the perfect balance of sophistication and youth.

The dress's accompanying cropped jacket featured a boat-style neckline, adorned with delicate pleating and ruffle details. Fitted underneath the bust, the jacket blended perfectly into the dress' skirt, which was an intricate collection of individual taffeta cut-outs. Topping off the look, Margarita chose a Stephen Jones headband that was composed of silk tulle and feather detailing. The wide headpiece also featured delicate embroidery throughout. The royal kept things simple with a pair of dropdown earrings and natural makeup, perfectly matching her dress with light pink nail polish.

It might have been Charles and Queen Camilla's big day, but Margarita looked like the picture of sophistication.

Lady Margarita Armstrong-Jones loved France so much that she pursued an opportunity never available to her grandmother, Princess Margaret, and moved to Paris. There, she enrolled in the Haute École de Joaillerie fine arts and jewelry-making academy to hone her skills as a craftsperson. She learned how to create models using wax and then set the final product in stone. "I thought that would be the best combination to do, because once you know how to carve in wax, you can then set and design at the same time," she told Tatler. What kind of jewelry does Princess Margaret's granddaughter like to make? Apparently, "something wacky and bold." Margarita also noted, "I love costume jewelry as well."

Beyond the technical element of her time at jewelry school, Margarita said that she loved living abroad. "I speak a little bit of French and I just loved the idea of being in Paris." She later added, "It's one of my favorite places." During her time in the City of Light, Margarita mingled with other students, including a friend who was enrolled at the prestigious Sorbonne-Nouvelle. She also spent time with a fellow graduate of the prestigious Tudor Hall school. When asked about the state of her social life, Margarita responded, "Morale is always high."

Although Lady Margarita Armstrong-Jones never had the chance to spend an afternoon with her grandmother, she seems committed to ensuring that Princess Margaret's legacy lives on. Indeed, Margarita has been quite vocal in her search for recognition for Margaret's accomplishments — especially in the arena of fashion. "I think she was an international influence of style and fun," the young aristocrat told Hello! in a 2025 interview. Pointing to an elegant photograph of Margaret on her island retreat in Mustique, Margarita added, "I like the peachy dress, that's pretty cool."

But, just because Margarita has reaffirmed Princess Margaret's best fashion moments does not mean that she lacks a style of her own. Far from remaining in her grandmother's shadow, Margarita has been sure to develop her own tastes. "I think her style is loved by everyone. I suppose it does play into me, but not solely. I think everyone's different, and I do look up to her, but I do what comes naturally to me," the aristocrat told Hello!.

Margarita may have cultivated her own identity style-wise, but that doesn't mean that she won't give credit where it's due. She once told Tatler that Margaret inspired her passion for jewelry design, explaining, "I probably get the photography from my grandfather and the jewelry from my grandmother." Indeed, Margaret was known for her fabulous taste in jewels, amassing a unique collection of diverse pieces over the course of her lifetime.

Of course, Princess Margaret is not the only one of Lady Margarita Armstrong-Jones' family members to pass down a love of the arts. Margarita's grandfather — and Margaret's once-husband — Anthony Armstrong-Jones also had a profound influence on his sole granddaughter. As a professional photographer with a great creative eye, Anthony was able to expose Margarita to true artistry at a young age. As she would later tell Tatler, "We would see him to have our portraits taken. He would always have these amazing cameras, which he would pull out for special effect. His backdrops were always very simple — he would let you be yourself."

This early contact with the arts world pushed Margarita to identify her own creative passions. In 2025, in an interview with Hello!, the young aristocrat revealed that she had actually accepted a job working as a jewelry designer for a brand called Matita. When asked if Anthony had given her his creative gene, Margarita replied, "Well, it must have come from somewhere." She also said that her grandfather's presence in her life was very helpful. After all, she was apparently able to ask him questions and use his answers to guide her in her own artistic journey.