Princess Margaret, known for her rebellious streak and desire for her children to lead independent lives, is remembered through her four grandchildren who are similarly forging their own paths away from the strictures of royal duty. David Armstrong-Jones, the 2nd Earl of Snowdon, and Lady Sarah Chatto, Margaret's children, have pursued successful careers, and their children—Samuel Chatto, Arthur Chatto, Charles Armstrong-Jones, and Margarita Armstrong-Jones—continue this legacy.
Princess Margaret, born August 21, 1930, often stated that her children were not royal, despite having the Queen as an aunt. This sentiment appears to have influenced her grandchildren, who, now in their twenties, have largely eschewed formal royal roles.
Artistic Pursuits
Samuel Chatto, the eldest grandchild at 29, has embraced an artistic career as a ceramic artist. Born July 28, 1996, he attended Eton College and the University of Edinburgh before training at the Royal Drawing School in London. His ceramic work, often inspired by his British upbringing and time in Japan, has been exhibited internationally. Samuel recently became engaged to fellow artist Eleanor Ekserdjian, reportedly crafting her engagement ring from porcelain. He also trained as a yoga teacher in India in 2019. While he remains distant from the royal spotlight, Samuel has attended significant family events such as Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral and King Charles's Coronation.
Lady Margarita Armstrong-Jones, the youngest grandchild, also demonstrates a strong artistic inclination. Born May 14, 2002, she inherited Princess Margaret's engagement ring, which she wears for occasions she believes her grandmother would have attended. Margarita has a passion for photography and jewelry design, studying these fields at various institutions, including the Haute École de Joaillerie in Paris. She has launched her own jewelry brand, Matita, featuring designs that play with conventional aesthetics. Margarita has expressed an interest in fashion and experimenting with styles, drawing parallels between her pursuits and her grandparents'.
Charles Armstrong-Jones, Viscount Linley, born July 1, 1999, is the elder child of David Armstrong-Jones. He holds the courtesy title Viscount Linley and is the future Earl of Snowdon. Educated at Eton and Loughborough University, where he studied product design engineering, Charles developed a passion for music. He is self-taught in orchestral music, playing piano and guitar, and creates music by combining recordings on his laptop. He joined his father and sister at the Royal Family's Christmas gathering in 2025.
Military and Adventure
Arthur Chatto, Samuel's younger brother, born February 5, 1999, has pursued a different path, focusing on geography, fitness, and a military career. After attending Eton and studying geography at the University of Edinburgh, Arthur participated in the GB Row Challenge in 2020, an ambitious rowing expedition around the British coastline for charity. He joined the Royal Marines in 2021, wearing his uniform at Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in 2022. Arthur has maintained a private personal life, deleting his former Instagram account. He was previously linked to Lizzie Friend, a classmate.
These four grandchildren, through their diverse career choices and commitment to personal interests, reflect a spirit of independence and individuality, echoing the sentiments of their late grandmother, Princess Margaret.