Working at HELLO! I'm surrounded by beautiful photoshoots of flawless aristocrats and moneyed models, so it takes someone very special to stop me in my tracks.
But that is exactly what happened today when I saw the HELLO! Instagram post announcing the engagement of Lady Sarah Chatto's son, Samuel Chatto (for the non-royal watchers among us, Lady Sarah Chatto is the only daughter of Princess Margaret, Queen Elizabeth II's sister, which made Samuel our late Queen's great-nephew… I think).
Upon glimpsing the photo, which shows the regal Dorian Gray and his new fiancée, Eleanor Ekserdjian, beam for the camera, I was alarmed that somebody so young was getting married. With his fresh, peaches-and-cream skin, surely Samuel was only 18 or 19?
© Sam ChattoOur followers agreed. "How old are they?" one commenter queried. Another commented: "He's a kid!" while a third wrote: "He looks about 13."
Checking our article on the happy news, I learned that Samuel and Eleanor are both 29, but truly neither looks a day older than 22, with flawless, unlined skin. In Gen Z speak, I'd like them both to 'drop the skincare routine' to know exactly how they look so perfectly porcelain-skinned.
© Getty ImagesBut, without access to them (perhaps I'll ask our royal ear to the ground, Emily Nash, if she could ask someone close to them for the intel…), I came to my own conclusions about how the lovebirds look so bright-eyed and clear-skinned – and portraits in attics aren't involved.
1. Minimal stress
While Samuel was born into royalty, Eleanor had far from humble beginnings, either. Her father, Professor David Ekserdjian, is a renowned art historian who currently serves as Professor of History of Art and Film at the University of Leicester. Her mother, Susan Moore, is also in the art world and works as an art critic at the Financial Times.
© Getty ImagesBoth Samuel and Eleanor work as artists (he calls himself a 'maker'), so I think it's fair to say they lead fairly stress-free work lives, in the grand scheme of things.
We all know that stress (cortisol, mainly) takes its toll on our skin, making us look tired and dull. Without this wreaking havoc on their complexions, Samuel and Eleanor both glow with youth.
Further minimising ageing stress levels, Samuel is a qualified yoga teacher – and while he says he has no time to practice, those extreme levels of zen will help keep his complexion clear.
2. SPF aplenty
A browse of Samuel's social media shows he has spent a lot of time travelling, with photos from Japan, the Himalayas and Sicily on his feed. I'm in no doubt he protected his skin with a strong factor 50 SPF during his travels, with no sign of sun damage on his unlined face.
© Instagram3. A pollution-free life
It's well known in the skincare industry that pollution is the enemy, making skin look dull and feel congested.
Sam and Eleanor live out in the fresh air in Sussex, with Sam deeply connected to nature. "I'm in awe of the sheer beauty and complexity of the natural world. The effect these surroundings had on the state of my mind is indescribable. Nature is so powerful," he mused.
Without pollution and stress to mar his complexion, it seems Samuel won't need to treat himself to any pre-wedding facials ahead of the big day – he looks lovely just as he is.
