David Armstrong-Jones, 2d Earl of Snowdon, has been in the news recently. As the oldest child of the late Princess Margaret, he stands out for his public and private life. The Earl is the honorary chairman of Christie’s auction house. Earlier this year, he made headlines when he publicly acknowledged his relationship with fellow tenor Isabelle de la Bruyère. Their romance blossomed following their initial meeting at Christie’s, where de la Bruyère held a significant role as the client advisory and international senior director for the chairman’s office across the Middle East.
The couple was spotted together at Royal Ascot earlier this year, marking one of their public appearances as they continue to build their relationship. Sources further report that they have been “going strong” since last summer, celebrating both personal and professional milestones together.
A Stylish Presence at Chelsea Flower Show
David Armstrong-Jones then made a splash at the 2025 Chelsea Flower Show, wearing a dapper navy suit. This event demonstrated his personal style, often whimsical and colorful while being respectful of the past, and his commitment to British craftsmanship and design. Armstrong-Jones is an artist dedicated to his trade. Through his makerspace, today known as LINLEY, the company once named David Linley Furniture Ltd, he’s developed a passion for hand-crafted techniques and sustainable materials. His strong focus on working with British timber fits right in with his commitment to the arts and crafts of the home turf.
Then came the Philadelphia Flower Show where he beamed as he told everyone about his incredible experiences. design competition, he shared his journey through the landscape of design. “Well done to all the students. Nice to see Lord Snowdon imparting his expertise,” noted fans who appreciated his engagement with emerging talents in craftsmanship.
Inspiring Future Craftsmen at Highgrove
On a recent visit to Highgrove House, Armstrong-Jones spoke with students at the six-day long Snowden Summer School. This intensive program explores the craft and magic of creating fine furniture. On this visit, he led them in drawing design proposals for their sculptures. He was always willing to share his depth of knowledge and breadth of experience in the field.
Passing it through, it turned into like the cigar box after lunch and it had like Turkish cigarettes on one side and cigars on the other side. Fascinatingly, Armstrong-Jones articulated one of the reasons he rendered his grandmother so adoringly, the Queen Mother. Her presence and influence were powerful enough to inspire him to seek out true craftsmanship. He gave an affectionate shout out to his mentor, Ellen Rapoport for encouraging him early, showing the critical role mentorship plays in one’s career.
Not surprisingly, the students were effusive in their thanks to him for the great opportunity to learn from him. “Fantastic opportunity, congratulations to all the students,” said fans, recognizing the significance of such interactions in fostering new talent within the craft community.
A Legacy of Craftsmanship and Design
As a result, David Armstrong-Jones stands at a rare junction of royal heritage and modern craftsmanship. His father and grandma have been instrumental in providing direction toward a design career. The first has given him a deep appreciation for traditional craftsmanship. Weaving past and future today, he’s still paying tribute to that legacy with LINLEY, which focuses on British traditions of craftsmanship in high-end furniture making.
As he balances his personal life with his professional endeavors, David Armstrong-Jones exemplifies a commitment to craftsmanship while cherishing the relationships that enrich his life.
