Some celebrities can claim not just fame, fortune, and adoration from fans, but also a link to royalty. DNA tests have revealed that noble blood runs through their veins—as if they weren't already fortunate enough! In this edition of "GoSeekNest," I'll introduce you to these stars.
Stars with Royal Lineage
Learn who among them are distant cousins of Queen Elizabeth II, Kate Middleton, Princess Diana, and other members of the monarchy.
Elle and Dakota Fanning
Elle and Dakota Fanning
In 2014, American actress Elle Fanning portrayed Princess Aurora in the film Maleficent. As it turns out, she and her sister Dakota have genuine royal ancestry. According to Ancestors.com, the Fanning sisters are the great-great-granddaughters of King Edward III of England in the 22nd generation. Additionally, they are distant relatives of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.
Alec Baldwin
Alec Baldwin and Queen Elizabeth II
Hollywood actor Alec Baldwin's family tree connects to King Ethelred the Unready. As a result, the Baldwin brothers are 29th cousins to Queen Elizabeth II.
Barack Obama
Elizabeth II with Barack and Michelle Obama
Surprisingly, the former U.S. president also shares ties with the British monarchy. Through his mother's side, Barack Obama is a direct descendant of William Gerard, who is likewise an ancestor of the current reigning Queen of Great Britain, Elizabeth II.
Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe
What could the 1950s American sex symbol possibly have to do with the British crown? Besides being born the same year as Elizabeth II, the actress also shares a common ancestor with the Queen: a certain William Brinley makes them distant cousins.
Hilary Duff
Hilary Duff and Elizabeth II
Hollywood actress Hilary Duff and Elizabeth II are both cousins of King Edward III. Moreover, the American star can take pride in being the closest among the Queen's distant relatives—they are separated by only 18 generations.
George W. Bush
George W. Bush and Princess Diana
The former U.S. president can boast a family connection to Princess Diana herself. According to the family tree, George W. Bush is none other than the 11th cousin of the "Queen of Hearts."
Celine Dion
Celine Dion and Camilla Parker Bowles
A French mason named Jean Guillon du Buisson (1592–1663) serves as a common relative linking Canadian singer Celine Dion and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
Meghan Markle
Meghan Markle
Although the American actress officially joined the royal family by marrying Prince Harry, she already had monarchical ties. Researchers from the Historical Genealogical Society in New England concluded that the Duchess of Sussex is a descendant of King Edward III. Thus, Meghan Markle is a very, very distant cousin to her own husband!
READ: Anticipated Celebrity Weddings of 2020
Michael Douglas
Michael Douglas and Queen Elizabeth II
King Edward III of England connects Hollywood actor Michael Douglas to the Queen of Great Britain. Catherine Zeta-Jones's husband is Elizabeth II's 19th cousin.
Beyoncé
Beyoncé and Elizabeth II
King Henry II Plantagenet of England is a shared ancestor of American singer Beyoncé and Queen Elizabeth II. This interesting fact makes both women 25th cousins.
Uma Thurman
Uma Thurman and Elizabeth II
The star of Kill Bill is a direct descendant of King Edward I of England and therefore a 21st cousin of the Queen of Great Britain.
Guy Ritchie
The British director and Madonna's ex-husband is related to the Duchess of Cambridge. They are 6th cousins. Perhaps that's why Guy Ritchie was among the guests invited to Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding in 2011?
Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks and King John
The Hollywood actor and Queen Elizabeth II share a common relative—King John of England (John Lackland). This shared ancestor makes them 24th cousins. Furthermore, Tom Hanks is a very distant relative of Princes William and Harry.
Ellen DeGeneres
Ellen DeGeneres and Kate Middleton
The famous American TV host is related to both Kate Middleton and Elizabeth II. She is a direct descendant of King Edward III of England, making DeGeneres the 15th cousin of the Duchess of Cambridge and the 19th cousin of the Queen of Great Britain.
Glenn Close
Royal American blood also flows through the veins of this Oscar-winning actress. Glenn Close and Elizabeth II share an ancestor—King John of England—making them 24th cousins.
Robert Pattinson
Robert Pattinson
Famous for playing vampire Edward in the Twilight saga, the Hollywood actor turned out to be related to a real-life bloodsucker. Robert Pattinson's family includes none other than Vlad the Impaler—the very Count Dracula of Romania!
Paris Hilton
Paris Hilton and Elizabeth II
It's hard to believe, but a common relative was found between the scandalous American socialite and the Queen of Great Britain. That relative is King Henry II Plantagenet of England, making Paris Hilton Elizabeth II's 20th cousin.
Richard Gere
In the family tree of the famous American actor and the Queen of Great Britain, a shared ancestor appears—Count and Baron John Talbot. This connection makes Richard Gere a distant 22nd cousin of Elizabeth II.
Brooke Shields
One of the Queen of Great Britain's closest relatives after Hilary Duff is Brooke Shields. The actress is linked to Elizabeth II through King Henry II of France, making them 18th cousins.
Hugh Grant
British actor Hugh Grant turns out to be closely connected to the British royal court. He is a descendant of two monarchs: King Henry VII of England and King James IV of Scotland.
Brad Pitt
Through King Henry II Plantagenet of England, the Hollywood actor is Elizabeth II's 15th cousin. But that's not the most intriguing part! It turns out Brad Pitt shares a common relative with Barack Obama, making them 9th cousins. On this point, the former U.S. president joked that Pitt got the better-looking genes.
READ: Star Leap or 14 Celebrities Whose Quirks Will Keep You Guessing!
Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp and Elizabeth II
While researching the American actor's genealogy, British genealogist Nick Barratt discovered that one branch of his family tree reaches back to English and French Huguenot nobility. Johnny Depp found a common male ancestor with Elizabeth II: Lord William Gascoigne, Chief Justice of the High Court of Justice, who is the 19-great-grandfather of both the actor and the Queen.
Madonna
Madonna and Camilla Parker Bowles – photo: starsinsider.com
Angelina Jolie
Elizabeth II shakes hands with Angelina Jolie – photo: thesun.co.uk
In 2014, Queen Elizabeth II awarded the American actress the Order of the Knight of the British Empire. One wonders if both women knew back then that they were 26th cousins. Either way, Angelina Jolie shares a common ancestor with the Queen: King Philip II Augustus of France.
Benedict Cumberbatch
Benedict Cumberbatch
The British Oscar-winning actor is a distant relative of King Richard III of England and therefore of Elizabeth II. Interestingly, Benedict Cumberbatch played the role of the king's ancestor in an episode of the series The Hollow Crown.
Jake and Maggie Gyllenhaal
Genealogy experts have found that these sibling actors are 19th cousins of the Queen of Great Britain. Their common ancestor was King Henry I of England.
Taylor Swift
The famous American country singer can boast of being Queen Elizabeth II's 17th cousin. In the family tree of the singer and the Queen, there is a shared ancestor: a certain Richard Cherburn, who lived in the 15th century.
Enjoyed the article? Share it with friends on social media, and don't miss: Princess Diana, Sophia Loren, and Other Style Icons of the Last Century in Modern Times
7 Most Stunning Outfits of the Golden Globe 2020
