Sam Chatto designing the engagement ring himself will not come as a surprise to most royal watchers

A jewellery expert was left surprised by Princess Margaret's grandson, Sam Chatto, regarding the engagement ring he designed for his new fiancée.

The professional ceramic artist and potter, who announced his engagement to filmmaker Eleanor (Ellie) Ekserdjian on Monday morning, designed the porcelain ring himself.

Chloe Woodmansterne, the founder of Aril Jewels, spoke exclusively to GB News about the jewel.

She said: "Sam Chatto’s choice of a porcelain engagement ring is an incredibly charming and personal gesture, designed in the medium he knows best.

"However, in the jewellery world, wearing a porcelain ring as a daily piece is virtually unheard of because clay is simply too delicate for modern life. If his fiancée happens to break it, the wonderful thing about Sam being a ceramicist is that he can always craft a new one!

"Because of that innate fragility, it is highly likely the couple will transition to a more traditional ring crafted from precious metals and gemstones."

Ms Woodmansterne added: "I expect they will choose an organic, sculptural design that honours his artistic background. At Aril Jewels, our own creations are deeply inspired by history, including figures like Elizabeth I, but are meticulously engineered for longevity and durability.

"It would be beautiful to see this couple blend timeless strength with Sam's artistic spirit, perhaps even incorporating porcelain safely protected within a precious metal setting."

Mr Chatto designing the engagement ring himself will not come as a surprise to most royal watchers. Following a degree in History of Art from the University of Edinburgh, Mr Chatto trained under porcelain masters in Japan.

He also completed an apprenticeship at the North Shore Pottery in Caithness, Scotland.

GB News understands Sam's parents, Daniel and Lady Sarah Chatto, are delighted at the engagement news, as are Ellie’s parents, Professor David Ekserdjian and Susan Moore.

King Charles was informed of the news prior to the announcement. The couple, both 29, live together in London after falling in love at university.

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It is understood that the wedding will take place in the spring of 2027, but it is not yet known which Royal Family members will attend.

Sam's mother, Lady Sarah Chatto, is the maternal first cousin of King Charles, Princess Anne, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Prince Edward.

Born in 1964 to Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones, Lady Sarah is two months younger than Prince Edward. She is renowned for her down-to-earth lifestyle with her husband, Daniel Chatto, who works as a professional painter.

The couple also have another son, Arthur Chatto, who is two years younger than Sam. Sam and Arthur have two maternal first cousins through Lady Sarah's brother, David Armstrong-Jones, 2nd Earl of Snowdon, who are very likely to attend the wedding.

Their names are Charles Armstrong-Jones, 27, and Lady Margarita Armstrong-Jones, 24, who were born to the earl and his ex-wife, Serena Stanhope.

Wedding bells appeared to be ringing in the air when Mr Chatto brought Ms Ekserdjian to Sandringham last Christmas with the rest of the Royal Family.

Prior to 2017, it was extremely rare for an unmarried partner to be invited to Norfolk for the festive season, with Meghan Markle making history that year as a royal fiancée to Prince Harry.

Princess Margaret once famously made a statement about her two children, the 2nd Earl of Snowdon and Lady Sarah, explaining: “My children are not royal; they just happen to have the Queen for their aunt.”

Knowing they would not be full-time working royals, she encouraged them to pursue careers in the arts. The earl became a successful bespoke furniture maker and former chairman of Christie's UK, while Lady Sarah became an accomplished painter.