Celebs Who Are Related To Royalty

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It’s common for celebrities to come from modest backgrounds, but surprisingly many have ancestors who were European royalty. Detailed family history research has revealed that several stars are descended from kings, queens, and emperors. These connections, ranging from direct ancestors to distant relatives, link today’s famous actors and filmmakers to the historical politics of countries like the United Kingdom and France. Discovering these royal bloodlines offers a fascinating glimpse into how modern entertainment connects with historical nobility.

Kit Harington

Kit Harington, best known for playing Jon Snow in ‘Game of Thrones,’ has royal and aristocratic roots. He’s a descendant of King Charles II through his grandmother, and a relative of Sir John Harington, who famously invented the flush toilet for Queen Elizabeth I. His wedding to Rose Leslie, his ‘Game of Thrones’ co-star, was attended by many members of British high society.

Benedict Cumberbatch

Benedict Cumberbatch and King Richard III are distantly related – they’re 16th cousins! This family connection was verified by researchers at the University of Leicester after Richard III’s skeleton was found in 2012. Cumberbatch famously played the king in the TV series ‘The Hollow Crown’ and even took part in the 2015 ceremony where Richard III was reburied at Leicester Cathedral.

Hilary Duff

Hilary Duff is surprisingly related to Queen Elizabeth II – they’re 18th cousins! Her family history traces back to King Edward III through a British Army officer named Alexander Spotswood. Most people know Hilary Duff from her starring role in the Disney Channel show ‘Lizzie McGuire’. This makes her one of the American celebrities with the closest ties to the British Royal Family.

Tom Hanks

Tom Hanks and Queen Elizabeth II are distantly related – they’re 24th cousins through their shared ancestor, King John of England. Research into his family history also reveals connections to other important people in both American and British history. Hanks is known for his roles in highly praised films like ‘Forrest Gump’ and ‘Saving Private Ryan’, and his ancestry was carefully verified by genealogists during his time as an actor.

Tilda Swinton

Tilda Swinton comes from a very old and distinguished family with a fascinating history. She’s a direct descendant of Robert the Bruce, the Scottish king who led Scotland to independence. The Swinton family has owned land in the United Kingdom for centuries, going all the way back to medieval times. As an Academy Award-winning actress, known for films like ‘Michael Clayton’ and ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’, Swinton’s family background is strongly connected to Scotland’s military and political past.

Ellen DeGeneres

I was amazed to learn that Ellen DeGeneres and Princess Catherine are actually distant relatives! It turns out they’re 15th cousins, connected through Sir Thomas Fairfax, who lived way back in the 1500s. Of course, everyone knows Ellen from her hugely popular talk show, ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show,’ but it’s incredible to find out she also has royal connections – her family history traces back to the family of King Edward I! It’s a small world, isn’t it?

Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie’s mother, Marcheline Bertrand, came from a family with roots tracing back to King Philip II of France. This means Jolie is a descendant of the French king who helped expand the kingdom in the 12th century. The actress is well-known for her roles in films like ‘Girl, Interrupted’ and ‘Maleficent’, and her French ancestry is a well-documented part of her family history.

Brad Pitt

Brad Pitt has royal roots! Researchers have traced his family history back to King Henry II, who lived in the 1100s. This makes him a distant cousin to current members of the British Royal Family. Pitt is a famous actor, well-known for films like ‘Fight Club’ and ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’.

Bill Hader

Bill Hader recently learned he’s related to royalty through the PBS series ‘Finding Your Roots’. It turns out he’s a direct descendant of both King Edward I of England and Charlemagne, the Holy Roman Emperor. Hader, known for his work on ‘Saturday Night Live’ and the show ‘Barry’, was very surprised to discover his connection to European kings and emperors.

Ralph Fiennes

Ralph Fiennes is distantly related to King Charles III – they share a common ancestor in King James II of Scotland. His family has a rich history with many well-known people in both British high society and the creative arts. Fiennes is famous worldwide for his role as Lord Voldemort in the ‘Harry Potter’ films. His siblings are also successful in the entertainment business, continuing a family legacy of artistic talent.

Hugh Grant

Hugh Grant has royal ancestry, descending from both King Henry VII of England and King James IV of Scotland. His family also includes a number of prominent figures who served as high-ranking officers in the British military and as colonial governors. Grant became a well-known actor in British films, particularly after starring in ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral’. Detailed records of his family history can be found in official British records of nobility and genealogy.

Brooke Shields

Brooke Shields has royal roots, descending from King Henry IV of France, who founded the Bourbon dynasty. She’s also related to the prominent Italian Medici family. Shields became famous as a young actress and model, starring in films like ‘The Blue Lagoon.’ Her interesting family history has captured the attention of those who study celebrity lineages and history.

Rose Leslie

Rose Leslie grew up in Lickleyhead Castle, her family’s historic home in Scotland. She’s related to King Charles II on her mother’s side, and is known for playing Ygritte in ‘Game of Thrones’. Her father leads Clan Leslie, highlighting her family’s long history with Scottish nobility.

Dakota Fanning

As a film buff, I always find it fascinating to learn about the backgrounds of actors, and Dakota Fanning’s is pretty incredible! It turns out she’s a direct descendant of King Edward III – like, 22 generations back! Researchers traced it through her mother’s side of the family. Of course, most people know her from her early roles in movies like ‘I Am Sam’ and the ‘Twilight’ films. And it’s even cooler because her sister, Elle Fanning, also shares this royal ancestry and actually played a queen in the show ‘The Great’!

Guy Ritchie

Filmmaker Guy Ritchie and Princess Catherine, the Princess of Wales, are distant cousins. They’re related through the Lupton family, a well-known merchant family from Leeds. Ritchie is famous for his unique filmmaking style, seen in movies like ‘Snatch’ and ‘Sherlock Holmes’, and he attended the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton in 2011.

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

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2026-02-14 19:17