Celebs Who Are Secretly Royalty in Other Countries

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It’s common for genealogical research to uncover surprising royal connections behind the fame of Hollywood stars. Many actors and performers can directly trace their ancestry back to European kings, queens, and other historically powerful families. These links are usually found by carefully examining old records or using genealogy services to build detailed family trees, often stretching back to medieval times. While these celebrities have achieved success on their own, their family histories connect them to a legacy of thrones and empires worldwide.

Kit Harington

The actor is a direct descendant of King Charles II through his father’s family. His grandmother was married to a Baronet Harington – a noble title dating back to the 1600s – which links him to the Stuart royal family, though not through the main royal line. He’s also related to John Harington, a well-known figure who worked for Queen Elizabeth I.

Benedict Cumberbatch

Benedict Cumberbatch, known for his role in ‘Sherlock,’ is a very distant relative of King Richard III – they are 16th cousins removed. Experts at Ancestry.com discovered this family connection while Cumberbatch was filming ‘The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses.’ Interestingly, he actually played his ancestor in the show! Cumberbatch also participated in the 2015 reburial of Richard III, reading a poem to commemorate the king.

Tilda Swinton

The acclaimed actress is a direct descendant of King Robert the Bruce, the Scottish leader who fought for Scotland’s independence. Her family, the Swintons, is one of just a few in Britain able to trace their land ownership and family history all the way back before the Norman Conquest. Her father was a Major-General and held the title of Laird of Kimmerghame House in Scotland. This strong Scottish ancestry has been an important part of her family’s history for many generations.

Brooke Shields

Family history research for the show ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’ discovered that the actress is a direct descendant of King Henry IV of France. She also has ties to the Grimaldi family, who have been the rulers of Monaco for hundreds of years. Through her father’s Italian and French ancestry, she’s connected to famous historical figures like Catherine de’ Medici and Lucrezia Borgia. This makes her one of the American celebrities with the closest links to European royalty today.

Rose Leslie

The actress grew up in Lickleyhead Castle in Scotland, coming from a noble Scottish family. Her father leads the Clan Leslie, and her mother is related to King Charles II of England. Interestingly, this royal heritage means she’s distantly related to her ‘Game of Thrones’ co-star and husband, Kit Harington. For hundreds of years, her family has played a significant role in British politics and the military.

Ralph Fiennes

Ralph Fiennes, the actor famous for films like ‘Schindler’s List’ and the ‘Harry Potter’ series, is distantly related to King Charles III. They are both descended from King James II of Scotland, who lived in the 1400s. This royal connection also applies to his siblings, director Martha Fiennes and actor Joseph Fiennes, and extends throughout the family to include members of Britain’s nobility and high-ranking military officials.

Hilary Duff

Genealogists have discovered that actress Cobie Smulders, known for ‘How I Met Your Mother,’ has a surprisingly royal background, making her arguably the most royal celebrity in the United States. Through her ancestor Alexander Spotswood, a British Army officer, she’s related to the late Queen Elizabeth II – they’re 18th cousins! Her family history can be traced all the way back to King Edward III of England and the Plantagenet dynasty, officially making her a top-ranked American celebrity with noble ancestry.

Hugh Grant

Hugh Grant, known for films like ‘Notting Hill,’ has royal ancestry, tracing back to both King Henry VII of England and King James IV of Scotland. His father’s family was filled with military leaders and members of the British upper class, including the Earls of Nottingham. This lineage connects him to centuries of royal history in Britain and Scotland. While he’s a contemporary actor, Grant’s family background is deeply tied to the traditional British and Scottish aristocracy.

Maggie Gyllenhaal

The actress and her brother, Jake, are related to King Edward III, who reigned in England during the 1300s. Their father, Stephen Gyllenhaal, comes from the Swedish noble family of the same name, establishing their royal ancestry. Detailed family records trace the Gyllenhaal family’s history and social standing for centuries. This connection to a medieval English king links them to many other royal families across Europe.

Danny Dyer

Danny Dyer, known for his role in ‘EastEnders’, learned he had royal ancestors while filming the genealogy show ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’. Researchers confirmed he’s a direct descendant of both King Edward III and Thomas Cromwell, a key advisor to Henry VIII. This revealed a surprising contrast – Dyer grew up in a working-class family, despite his ancestors once being central figures at the English royal court. He later delved deeper into this family history in his documentary series, ‘Danny Dyer’s Right Royal Family’.

Tell us which of these royal celebrity connections surprised you the most in the comments.

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2026-02-18 02:45