Handsome, humble and boasting royal ties, up-and-coming model Freddy Knatchbull ticks all the boxes of a high-society heartthrob.
The 18-year-old is the son of Curzon Cinemas CEO Philip Knatchbull, 60, grandson of 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma, and his second wife, Wendy.
His fashion designer sister, Daisy, is friends with the Manners sisters of The Crown’s Belvoir Castle, and his girlfriend is Tatler cover girl Delphi Primrose, 18, daughter of Sotheby’s boss Lord Dalmeny.
Yet despite his impeccable social connections, it was Freddy’s looks, not his phone book, that landed him a contract with SELECT Model Management.
Athletic and chiselled, the 6ft 1in teenager was scouted while walking down London’s Oxford Street ‘and it took off from there’, he told FEMAIL.
But having a famous surname certainly doesn’t hurt.
‘It would be naive of me not to accept that my family background will give me an initial advantage in the modelling world,’ he said.
‘But it cuts both ways. People might judge me without getting to know me first. A sort of judging a book by its cover situation. ‘[Ultimately] I hope to develop my own identity through my hard work and dedication.’
One to watch: Freddy Knatchbull, 18, is spending his gap year focusing on modelling and has signed a contract with SELECT Model Management after being spotted on Oxford Street
Power couple: Freddy’s girlfriend is Tatler cover girl Delphi Primrose, 18, daughter of Sotheby’s boss Lord Dalmeny. Pictured, the couple in July (left) and at the Tatler Little Black Book party
Standing out from the crowd: Athletic and chiselled, 6ft 1in Freddy was scouted while walking down London’s Oxford Street ‘and it took off from there’
Freddy lives at home with his parents London and is taking a gap year before going on to university, where he hopes to study politics.
Unlike many other privileged young men in his position, Freddy prefers to keep a low profile on Instagram and doesn’t make a habit of showing up at flash parties.
‘I love playing sports and I always have,’ he said. ‘I’m a massive Arsenal fan and love playing football, I also play a lot of basketball and support the Los Angeles Lakers and I love going to the gym.
‘I really enjoy acting, although I haven’t had as many chances to do so since I finished school. I also like fishing, whether that be fly fishing in the River Test or deep sea fishing in the Atlantic.
‘My father is in the film business and I love going to the cinema with him and watching the latest films.’
Bright spark: Freddy, who recently finished school, is focusing on modelling while on his gap year before studying Politics at university
Low-key: Unlike many other young men in his privileged position, Freddy prefers to keep a low profile on Instagram and doesn’t make a habit of showing up at flash parties
Philip Knatchbull is the son of Patricia Knatchbull, 2nd Countess Mountbatten of Burma, the eldest daughter of the Duke of Edinburgh’s beloved uncle ‘Dickie’ Mountbatten.
Philip’s younger brother, Nicholas, was among those killed in the 1979 IRA bombing that claimed the life of his grandfather.
Freddy grew up hearing stories of his great-grandfather. ‘It was nice to hear the private side of the public persona,’ Freddy said.
Philip has a daughter, Daisy, with his first wife, Atalanta Cowan, and shares Freddy and John, 17, with Wendy.
‘My family is very supportive and have always been,’ Freddy said. ‘I love them to bits and it makes me very happy that they are so excited for me.
‘My Mum was also a professional model and gives me loads of advice about modelling.’
He also swaps tips with his girlfriend of six months Delphi Primrose, a descendant of 19th century Prime Minister Archibald Philip Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery who is signed to Storm Models, famous for discovering Kate Moss.
Freddy recently ‘got very close’ to being cast in the lead of a new Netflix show – he remains tight-lipped on the details – after making it ‘through a lot of casting rounds’
‘We chat about it a lot and we’re both very supportive of each other’s careers,’ he said. ‘We love going to events together and we would really like to work together on a shoot.’
Most recently the hot new society couple were spotted at Tatler’s star-studded Little Black Book party.
His sister Daisy, 29, who introduced Delphi and Freddy, is founder of The Deck, a made-to-measure tailoring house exclusively for women which has been spotted on the likes of Jodie Whittaker, Liz Hurley and the Duchess of York.
‘Daisy is one of the best in the industry and has been very helpful with giving me advice,’ Freddy said. ‘I’m very proud to be her brother.’
Whatever advice he is following, it is working.
Freddy’s sister Daisy, 29, who introduced Delphi and Freddy, is founder of The Deck, a made-to-measure tailoring house exclusively for women which has been spotted on the likes of Jodie Whittaker, Liz Hurley and the Duchess of York. Pictured, Daisy with their father Philip
Freddy recently ‘got very close’ to being cast in the lead of a new Netflix show – he remains tight-lipped on the details – after making it ‘through a lot of casting rounds’.
‘I didn’t land the role in the end but it has sort of inspired me to lean towards maybe doing some acting. It is not uncommon for models to end up in the acting industry,’ he said.
‘I’m very comfortable being in front of the camera. It definitely does come naturally. The way I pose, my expression and the direction can really help bring clothing alive on a model. The communication between photographer and model is really important for me.’
Now Freddy would like to work with brands he ‘wears every day’ like Burberry, Gucci, Prada and Calvin Klein.
He added: ‘I’ve been able to work with some amazing people and I’m really looking forward to the future.’
Freddy’s famous family! How the up-and-coming model is descended from Prince Philip’s uncle Louis Mountbatten
Freddy’s great-grandfather is Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma, who played an influential role in the life of his nephew, Prince Philip, and his great-nephew, Prince Charles.
Charles referred to Lord Mountbatten as his Honorary Grandfather, and consulted him on matters both of state and of the heart.
Their close relationship was depicted in the hit Netflix series The Crown, where Lord Mountbatten was portrayed by Greg Wise (seasons 1 and 2) and Charles Dance (seasons 3 and 4).
Lord Mountbatten, affectionately known as ‘Dickie’, married Edwina Ashley and had two daughters, Patricia Knatchbull, 2nd Countess Mountbatten of Burma, who died in 2017, aged 93, and Lady Pamela Hicks, 92.
Freddy’s great-grandfather is Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma, who played an influential role in the life of his nephew, Prince Philip. His grandmother is the late Patricia Knatchbull, pictured right with her husband the 7th Baron Brabourne
Patricia Knatchbull and her husband, John Knatchbull, 7th Baron Brabourne, had eight children, including Nicholas, who died in the 1979 IRA bombing. Another son, Anthony, died at birth. Freddy’s father Philip is the fifth of the surviving six children. He has been married twice: to Atalanta Vereker and to Wendy, pictured, Freddy’s mother
Edwina Mountbatten died of unknown causes in 1960, at the age of 58. Her husband, Louis, died in the 1979 IRA bombing that also claimed the life of his 14-year-old grandson Nicholas and Paul Maxwell, a 15-year-old crew member.
Doreen, Dowager Lady Brabourne, the mother-in-law of his daughter Patricia, died from her injuries.
Charles read the lesson at Lord Mountbatten’s funeral.
After marrying in a wedding when the then Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret served as bridesmaids, Patricia and her husband, John Knatchbull, 7th Baron Brabourne, had eight children, including Nicholas. Another son, Anthony, died at birth.
Philip Knatchbull’s former sister-in-law is Penny Knatchbull, now known as Lady Brabourne, a close friend of Prince Philip’s who was the only non-family member invited to the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral. The pair shared a passion for carriage-driving. Pictured, Prince Philip and Penny share a joke at the 2009 Windsor Horse Show
Also in the family is Philip’s aunt, Lady Pamela Hicks, who served as a bridesmaid at the wedding of the Queen and Prince Philip. Pictured, Lady Pamela with daughter India
Freddy’s father, Philip Knatchbull, is the fifth of the surviving six children.
His former sister-in-law is Penny Knatchbull, now known as Lady Brabourne, a close friend of Prince Philip’s who was the only non-family member invited to the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral. The pair shared a passion for carriage-driving.
In 1991, Philip married first wife Atalanta Vereker and welcomed daughter Daisy, now 29. In 2002 he married his second wife, Wendy, and the couple share two sons: Freddy and John, 17.
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