Mysterious Arthur Chatto’s quiet retreat from royal life after surprise wedding absence

The youngest son of Lady Sarah Chatto is 25th in line to the throne, and, has taken a step back from public life in recent years

eter Phillips and Harriet Sperling’s royal wedding on Saturday saw the extended members of the British royal family descend on the historic Anglican All Saints Church in Kemble, Gloucester.

The occasion was a treat for royal fans who saw rarely seen figures, such as Peter’s half-sister, Harriet Phillips, and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh’s son, James, Earl of Wessex, make an appearance at the decadent Cotswolds celebrations.

While fan favourite Lady Sarah Chatto attended the nuptials with her husband Daniel, their eldest son, Samuel, and his long-term girlfriend, Eleanor Ekserdjian, one person who was noticeably absent from the frivolity was Lady Sarah’s youngest son, Arthur Chatto.

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Lady Sarah Chatto’s son Arthur was absent from the royal wedding on Saturday

Who is Arthur Chatto?

The 27-year-old grandson of Princess Margaret is 25th-in-line to the throne, and,  just like his royal family members Prince William and Prince Harry, an Eton graduate.

Arthur, who has a strong passion for fitness, then went on to complete his degree at the University of Edinburgh. After graduating, he followed his passion for fitness and became a personal trainer at BoundFitness gym before enlisting in the Royal Marines, making history as the first member of the royal family to do so.

© Justin Goff Photos/Getty Images
Arthur followed in the footsteps of Prince William and Prince Harry and attended Eton College

Arthur previously opened up about his love of all things active, and asked why he wanted to become a personal trainer, said: “Because of the physical and mental benefits that exercise has had on me, so I wanted to share this with others,” no doubt motivation he took with him when just months later he enlisted in the Marines.

The royal was reportedly training for the intense military regime when visiting the late Queen at Balmoral before her death in 2022.

The University of Edinburgh graduate has always had a passion for fitness

Over the years, his passion for fitness has materialised in several impressive challenges. In 2021, he rowed 2,000 miles around the UK for charity.

During the fundraiser, Arthur and his teammates – Charles Bromhead, Harry Lidgley and Oliver Dawe-Lane – were at sea for 42 days, and raised over £21,500 for the British Red Cross and Just One Ocean.

Stepping back from the spotlight

Arthur used to have an active Instagram profile and was previously coined by Vanity Fair as “the first royal to take shirtless selfies.” His former public social media page was full of personal holiday snaps, videos of his gruelling training regime, as well as updates alongside his closest friends and family.

Sam used to have an active social media account full of photos with family like this one with his royal mother and brother

But, in recent months, the grand-nephew of Queen Elizabeth II appears to have come off of social media or at least set up a private account not reachable by the masses.

Now, royal fans can only see the serviceman when he surfaces at the occasional royal event, which in recent years has only included Christmas Day 2024, Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral in 2022, and the annual Easter Sunday Service at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor, the same year, and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s royal wedding in 2018.

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Arthur was last seen attending the Christmas Day service in 2024

While it isn’t clear why the royal has stepped back from public life, it’s likely his career as a military man is the main reason.

CRE: https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/906792/mysterious-arthur-chatto-quiet-retreat-royal-life/