Rumours of a Royal wedding have been sparked at the close of 2024, following the unexpected appearance of a non-royal at the Firm’s annual Sandringham walkabout. The majority of the working Royal Family were seen mingling with an adoring public on Wednesday, including the young Wales children who stole the show as they received gifts from spectators.
However, one particular figure walking alongside them caused a stir for a completely different reason. King Charles III, who determines which royals can attend this significant event, allowed a non-royal to join the group this year who hasn’t previously been seen amongst the Sandringham crowd.
Samuel Chatto, the 28 year old grandson of Princess Margaret, fuelled speculation of an impending Royal wedding after he was spotted with his girlfriend, Eleanor Ekserdjian. Ms Ekserdjian, also 28, was seen walking next to Chatto, who is 29th in line to the throne, both trailing behind his parents Lady Sarah and Daniel Chatto.
The artist follows Meghan Markle’s precedent, being the first non-spouse partner of a Royal allowed to accompany the family on Christmas Day. Her presence ignited immediate conjecture, with one eagle-eyed Royal watcher posting on social media: “This is a clear sign that there will be a royal wedding in the new year.”
News of their relationship first came to light in 2021, when the London-based painter told the Daily Mail: “We are a couple.”, reports the Mirror.
Traditionally, partners of royals who are not married have not been permitted to join the festivities in Sandringham. Notable members didn’t make an appearance until they were officially bestowed with their Royal titles.
Kate, now known as the Princess of Wales, didn’t make her debut at the Royal Family’s country residence until she became the Duchess of Cambridge after marrying Prince William in 2011. Similarly, Sophie Rhys-Jones, now the Duchess of Edinburgh, didn’t embark on the same journey until post her 1999 wedding to Prince Edward, when she was titled the Countess of Wessex.
Ms Ekserdjian is artistically inclined and works as an abstract painter, film artist, and curator. She has previously completed significant residencies with Hauser and Wirth in Braemar, Scotland, and the Sokyo Gallery in Kyoto, Japan.
Her boyfriend has featured in her artistic pieces, which, according to her website, typically involve “projecting the moving image onto paper or canvas and drawing from and over it” while making her physical and emotional responses evident “through rapid mark-making”. The description further adds: “These paintings and drawings become lyrical landscapes which explore her evolving emotional response to the film.”