It’s hard to keep track of the royal family tree when it comes to children and grandchildren. Don’t forget, those Windsors are a big bunch; it’s easy to lose count of just how many people would show up to a family reunion at Windsor Castle. But there are some relatives who find themselves in the spotlight.
The most recent royal-family star is Arthur Chatto, an Aquarius with a charming grin and impressive athletic ability. As he posted on his Instagram in August 2020, he and his rowing team were the youngest people to complete the GB Row Challenge, a difficult team-row around Britain. He’s also a personal trainer and ocean philanthropist.
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“We are thrilled to announce we finished the GB Row under Tower Bridge and became the youngest team ever to do it,” he wrote in 2020. “We did it in 42 days 8hrs 23 mins 16 seconds. It was an amazing moment and made it all worth it.”
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His Instagram page was basically a log of all the impressive physical feats this man has achieved—until he chose to take the account down. “Brilliant run in the Pentland hills just outside Edinburgh,” he posted in September 2020, alongside a photo of him having a post-run snack. “Perfect way to escape the city for a few hours: get outdoors and get fit!”
Chatto’s disabled Instagram got media attention in September 2022, when Chatto attended the Queen’s funeral in his Royal Marines uniform.
Arthur Chatto, left, in his Royal Marines uniform at the Queen’s funeral with his brother and parents
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So, who is this young, ambitious, record-breaking royal? Here’s what you should know.
He is Princess Margaret’s grandson.
Chatto is the son of Lady Sarah Chatto, Margaret’s daughter. His dad is British artist David Chatto. The two celebrated their 28th wedding anniversary in July of 2022 and share two sons, Arthur and his brother, Sam, 26.
Per Hello!, Chatto’s parents meant while Sarah was on a sabbatical in India with her father, Antony Charles Robert Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon.
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When it comes to his athletic achievements and adventures, Chatto says he doesn’t want to worry his mom, so he basically tells her what she needs to know. “With my mum, I think it’s always best not to tell her the full details and then she can’t get too worried,” he told The Telegraph. “Then, when you’re back—touch wood—she won’t worry as much.”
He attended the University of Edinburgh and worked as a trainer while there.
Chatto, who turned 24 on February 5, studied geography at University of Edinburgh, according to Tatler. He attended Westminster Cathedral Choir school and then went to Eton, where Prince Harry and Prince William also attended.
The Evening Standard noted that he was also a personal trainer for BoundFitness while studying in school.In an Instagram post published on BoundFitness’s account in October 2020, he explained his focus, saying, “I’m a level 3 personal trainer, I specialize in strength and endurance training with a military focus. I was lucky enough to row around the UK this summer! This gave me a lot of experience in training myself and the team to complete the challenging expedition. I’ve found physical training to be an essential cornerstone in improving my own mental health and I want to share this with others”
He is now a Royal Marine.
Express reported in August 2021 that Chatto had joined the Royal Marines and informed the Queen of his intention to train and become an officer. A royal insider told The Sun of the choice at the time, “Arthur Chatto has been accepted to train as an officer in the Royal Marines. He 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. He has gone straight into the officer training in this year’s intake and is very keen and up for it.”
Chatto ultimately completed training and attended the Queen’s funeral in uniform.
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He’s been romantically linked to Lizzie Friend, a key member of his GB Row Challenge cheering squad
In August 2020, Chatto was dating Friend, a fellow Edinburgh student, who Tatler reported, was there to greet him at the finish line for the GB Row Challenge.
“They hit it off straight away,” a source told The Daily Mail. “She’s really sweet, and they make a very nice couple.” In 2018, Tatler reported that Chatto took friend to the Royal Ascot as his date. Here’s a photo of the event:
Of course, Chatto has kept a low profile in the years since, leaving his personal life less known to the public now.
He uses his athleticism for philanthropy
In June 2020, Chatto’s rowing team of four, who called themselves Exe Endurow, noted that they would be raising money for causes during the pandemic.
“We hope you all have stayed safe during the coronavirus pandemic,” they posted on Instagram. “Naturally, we’ve been delayed but are working hard to get ourselves ready to row. We’ve also decided, as a result of the situation, to raise money for the British Red Cross as well as Just One Ocean, because we’re keen to do what we can at what is a challenging time for our nation as well as our oceans.”
Chatto admitted he has watched The Crown.
Chatto came out as a royal who watches Netflix’s show The Crown about the royal family’s history. He told The Telegraph in January 2020, “Yes, I have watched it. I guess it’s only an interpretation. So I just kind of remember what they’re actually like and don’t let the TV persona mar my judgment of any of them.”
On top of everything else, he was also an influencer and model.
As E! noted in January 2021, Chatto was the official brand ambassador for English watchmaker Elliot Brown and mountaineering apparel brand Jöttnar before joining the Royal Marines.
Hilary Weaver is a freelance writer based in New York who writes about politics, queer issues, Meryl Streep, Glenn Close, and every woman the Queen has ever made a dame. I saw Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again three times in theaters, and that’s pretty much all you need to know.
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Alyssa Bailey is the senior news and strategy editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage of celebrities and royals (particularly Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton). She previously held positions at InStyle and Cosmopolitan. When she’s not working, she loves running around Central Park, making people take #ootd pics of her, and exploring New York City.
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