SW3 is about to land a brand new bachelor in the form of 19-year-old model Freddy Knatchbull, who has vowed to cause some chaos when he premiers in the upcoming series of Made In Chelsea.
But there's something special about the hit E4's latest addition – and no, it's not his immaculately chiselled cheekbones!
The youngster, who was introduced producers by his model pal and current star Joel Mignott, actually has some intimate connections to the British monarchy.
"My great-grandad, Lord Mountbatten, was very ‘in’ with the royal family," Freddy exclusively tells OK! ahead of her on-screen debut later this month.
"He was the last English Governor General of India before it became independent and he led the British against Japan in the Second World War. He used to holiday with the royals all the time."
Freddy's ancestor, the late Prince Philip's uncle and mentor to King Charles in his younger years, was recently depicted by acclaimed actor Charles Dance in Netflix's The Crown.
The British naval officer and colonial administrator was a strong influence in the upbringing of his grand-nephew, the future monarch and later as a mentor – "Honorary Grandfather" and "Honorary Grandson", they fondly called each other according to royal biographies.
Lord Mountbatten was famously assassinated by a bomb planted aboard his fishing boat in Mullaghmore, County Sligo, Ireland, by members of the Provisional Irish Republican Army.
But what does Freddy make of his high-society heritage?
"I’ve grown up in a generation that isn’t close with the monarchy any more," he admits. "But my aunts and uncles are still involved.
"When I talk to my friends at uni about him, no one knows who he is. But when I talk to my parents’ friends, they know everything about him."
Speaking of the hit Netflix series, for which actor Charles was nominated for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series at the Primetime Emmy Awards and won Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, Freddy admits he hasn't yet sat down to watch his great-grandfather being portrayed.
"I know that The Crown features members of my family but I couldn’t comment on their portrayal as I haven’t seen the series. Definitely one for the list though."
But will we see Freddy appear alongside The King on the day of his upcoming May coronation? It would appear so…
"We love the King!" he laughs. "My close family will definitely have specific roles in his Coronation, but I doubt I will now I’m on MIC. But who knows? I might end up sitting with the King on his big day!"
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