The Queen is ‘pleased and proud’ this young royal is set to start training with the Royal Marines

The Queen's great-grandnephew will be the first royal to take on the notoriously tough challenge since Prince Edward's failed attempt in 1987

Balmoral Castle the Queen
(Image credit: Photo by Jane Barlow - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

The Queen's great-grandnephew is expected to start training for the Royal Marines, according to an inside source. 


Arthur Chatto, the grandson of the Queen's younger sister Princess Margaret, has just taken on his greatest challenge yet—becoming a Royal Marine. 

The 22-year-old personal trainer is about to put his strength to the ultimate test by embarking on a grueling 32-week training regime, which will see him undergo a series of intense physical and mental exercises at Lympstone in Devon. 

The exciting news has reportedly been welcomed by the Queen, who has not seen royal representation in the elite navy troops since Prince Edward's failed attempt in 1987. 

“He told the Queen all about it and she’s pleased and proud," a source told the Sun. "Prince Edward has been very supportive." 

Pool/Max Mumby/Getty Images

Arthur Chatto and Lady Sarah Chatto at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in 2018 

(Image credit: Pool/Max Mumby/Getty Images)

If you're not so familiar with this side of the Royal Family, here's all the information you need on who is the Queen's grandnephew and why he's causing such a stir

Long story short, Arthur's enrollment in military training shouldn't come as too much of a surprise to the public. The University of Edinburgh graduate has always had a penchant for the extreme outdoors, having previously summited Ben Nevis and even dived in Arctic waters off the coast of Iceland. He even became the youngest person to row around Britain in 2020, completing the 2,000-mile journey in just 42 days. 

Alamy

The Queen says hello to Arthur Chatto, grandson of her late sister Princess Margaret, during a visit to Holyport College near Maidenhead, Berkshire. 

(Image credit: Alamy)

With so much experience enduring tough conditions, as well as a day job as a personal trainer in Scotland, it's safe to assume Arthur has a good shot at becoming a Royal Marine. 

“It’s a dead cert he’ll get a lot further than Prince Edward ever did," the source added. The youngest of the Queen's children famously lost his chance to enter the Royal Marines in 1987 after he dropped out of the training just four months into the course. Edward went on to pursue a career in the arts instead, landing jobs in theatre and television before becoming a full-time working royal in 2002. 

Arthur, on the other hand, could be in the military business for the long run. The superfit adventurer has already been preparing for what's to come on the grounds of Balmoral Castle, the Queen's Scottish country estate, with Her Majesty's permission, of course. 

“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," the source said. 

The pressure is now on for the young aristocrat to live up to his steely reputation and make the Queen, along with his parents Lady Sarah and Daniel Chatto, proud as punch. If he successfully completes the training, Arthur will be the first Royal Family member to join the Marines. 

Emma Dooney
Lifestyle News Writer

Hailing from the lovely city of Dublin, Emma mainly covers the Royal Family and the entertainment world, as well as the occasional health and wellness feature. Always up for a good conversation, she has a passion for interviewing everyone from A-list celebrities to the local GP - or just about anyone who will chat to her, really.

Emma holds an MA in International Journalism from City, University of London, and a BA in English Literature from Trinity College Dublin.