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Stars you never knew were related to royalty from Meghan Markle to Madonna

03 May 2024 , 13:56
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One Hollywood elite is a real-life Princess
One Hollywood elite is a real-life Princess

CELEBRITIES are used to being treated like they are royalty but some actually do have blue blood running through their veins.

Many of the Hollywood elite can trace their linage back to some of Britain and Europe's most powerful families.

The pop star is the 8th cousin 11 times removed of King Louis XIV of France eiqeeiqrtiqexprw
The pop star is the 8th cousin 11 times removed of King Louis XIV of France
Taylor's lineage was revealed by MyHeritage
Taylor's lineage was revealed by MyHeritage

Taylor Swift is the latest famous face to discover she is distantly related to a real-life king.

The singer, 34, is allegedly related to King Louis XIV of France, according to MyHeritage.

The family history site discovered that the Pennsylvania native is in fact the 8th cousin 11 times removed of the king, who ruled from 1643 until his death in 1715.

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King Louis XIV is the longest serving monarch in the world and was responsible for commissioning the Palace of Versailles before he and his family ended up moving to England.

She's not the only one with a royal heritage. Here The Sun looks at the other celebrities who have sovereign relations.

Josh Widdicombe

Josh Widdicombe found out he's related to Henry VIII on Who Do You Think You Are?
Josh Widdicombe found out he's related to Henry VIII on Who Do You Think You Are?

Comic Josh Widdicombe learned he was related to royalty on BBC1's Who Do You Think You Are?.

He nearly lost his head when he was told the six times married monarch Henry VIII is his 23 times great-grandfather.

The Last Leg funnyman, 41, also discovered he is descended from Edward I. His link to Henry VIII is through a distant great nan, said to be the king’s illegitimate daughter.

Josh said: “To say it’s exceeded my expectations is the understatement of a lifetime. I was just expecting a couple of farmers. It’s proper blue blood, isn’t it?”

Kit Harington

It's not just in Game of Thrones that Kit Harington has royal connections
It's not just in Game of Thrones that Kit Harington has royal connections

His character Jon Snow is the reluctant King of the North in Game of Thrones.

And in real life, actor Kit Harington, 37, has royal links himself.

The star is a descendent of Charles II, and his royal connections come from his grandmother on his dad’s side, Lavender Cecilia Denny.

His wife, Rose Leslie, 37, is also a descendent of King Charles II on her mother's side.

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Meghan Markle

Meghan Markle was related to royalty even before she married Prince Harry
Meghan Markle was related to royalty even before she married Prince Harry

It turns out that Meghan Markle, 42, was always related to royalty, even before she married Prince Harry, 39.

According to genealogists, the former Suits actress is a direct descendant of King Edward III, who ruled from 1327 until 1377.

That makes her and Harry 17th cousins!

Beyonce Knowles

Queen Bey is related to King Henry II
Queen Bey is related to King Henry II

She may be known as Queen Bey, but Beyoncé Knowles is actually related to royalty.

The Single Ladies singer, 42, can trace her royal roots through Louisiana, Acadia, and back to the French.

The common ancestor she shares is King Henry II, who was the late Queen Elizabeth's 24th great-grandfather.

Madonna

Madonna may be the Queen of Pop but she's also related to Queen Camilla
Madonna may be the Queen of Pop but she's also related to Queen Camilla

Madonna is undoubtedly the Queen of Pop, and she's also a royal when it comes to her family too.

The music legend, 65, is ninth cousin, once removed, of the Queen Consort Camilla, 76.

Her ex-husband Guy Ritchie, 55, is also related to royalty, as he's sixth cousins with the Princess of Wales Kate Middleton, 42, and was invited to her wedding to Prince William, 41.

Ralph Fiennes

Ralph Fiennes has won a Tony for playing Prince Hamlet, but is also related to King Charles
Ralph Fiennes has won a Tony for playing Prince Hamlet, but is also related to King Charles

Not only did he win the Tony Award for playing Prince Hamlet on Broadway in 1995, but Ralph Fiennes, 61, is also eighth cousin to King Charles III.

According to the Financial Times, they are related through James II of Scotland, who ruled during the 1400s.

Thandie Newton

Thandie Newton is a Zimbabwean princess due to her mum
Thandie Newton is a Zimbabwean princess due to her mumCredit: Getty

As the daughter of a Zimbabwean princess, Thandie Newton, 51, is actually a princess herself, according to Shona custom.

In an interview with British Vogue, Thandie announced she was reclaiming the true spelling of her name, Thandiwe, which means "beloved" in Shona.

"That's my name," she said. "It's always been my name. I'm taking back what's mine."

Tom Hanks

Hollywood favourite Tom Hanks is distantly related to the royal family through his links to King John of England
Hollywood favourite Tom Hanks is distantly related to the royal family through his links to King John of England

Many consider Tom Hanks, 67, to be Hollywood royalty, thanks to films such as Forrest Gump and Saving Private Ryan.

But the accolade doesn’t just finish at his movies.

He is actually a descendant of King John of England, who ruled from 1199 to 1216.

Danny Dyer

Danny Dyer has discovered he’s descended from two kings of England
Danny Dyer has discovered he’s descended from two kings of England

EastEnders actor Danny Dyer, 46, discovered he’s related to two kings of England, William the Conquerer and Edward III, as well as Thomas Cromwell.

Like Josh, the cockney star’s surprising blood links were revealed in Who Do You Think You Are?

Danny, who grew up in Canning Town, east London, told Radio Times that he’s especially pleased by the connection to Cromwell, who was born to a tavern owner in Putney, served as chief minister to King Henry VIII and helped orchestrate the downfall of Anne Boleyn before he was executed for treason in 1540.

Uma Thurman

Uma Thurman is late Queen Elizabeth II's 21st cousin, once removed
Uma Thurman is late Queen Elizabeth II's 21st cousin, once removed

Kill Bill actress Uma Thurman, 54, has made a big name for herself on red carpets and in numerous blockbusters.

But did you know she is the late Queen Elizabeth II’s 21st cousin, once removed?

On her dad’s side, she is a direct descendant from Edward I, who ruled England between 1272 and 1307.

Johnny Depp

Captain Jack Sparrow actor Johnny Depp is also a relative of the late Queen
Captain Jack Sparrow actor Johnny Depp is also a relative of the late Queen

Not only is Uma Thurman a distant cousin of the late queen, but Johnny Depp also has these ties.

The axed Pirates of the Caribbean star, 60, is former Queen Elizabeth II's cousin, 20 times removed, according to a genealogist researching the actor’s family tree.

Both are descendants of Edward III, who died in 1377.

Robert Pattinson

Robert Pattinson is related to Prince William and Harry
Robert Pattinson is related to Prince William and Harry

Robert Pattinson, 37, was catapulted to fame after being the star of teen vampire drama Twilight and Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire.

In keeping with his vampire fame, his family has links to Vlad the Impaler, the real-life inspiration behind Dracula.

He is also said to be a distant cousin of Prince William and Harry, according to genealogists.

Paris Hilton

Heiress Paris Hilton is Elizabeth II’s 20th cousin - who knew?
Heiress Paris Hilton is Elizabeth II’s 20th cousin - who knew?

It may seem surprising that socialite Paris Hilton, 43, who also has a sex tape, comes from a regal bloodline.

But the heiress is Queen Elizabeth II’s 20th cousin, it turns out.

They are both related to Henry II of England, who ruled from 1154 to 1189.

Hilary Duff

Actress Hilary Duff is not just a Disney queen, but also has a royal ancestry
Actress Hilary Duff is not just a Disney queen, but also has a royal ancestry

Lizzie McGuire star Hilary Duff, 36, has long been considered by fans to be a princess of the Disney channel.

But the star is also related to the late Queen, who is her 18th cousin.

The pair share an ancestor in King Edward III, who ruled between 1327 and 1377.

Ellen DeGeneres

Ellen DeGeneres is the 15th cousin of none other than Kate Middleton
Ellen DeGeneres is the 15th cousin of none other than Kate Middleton

Many considered Ellen DeGeneres, 66, to be an undisputed queen of comedy until she quit her chat show following "toxic" workplace rumours.

But she also is related to royalty herself, as she is the 15th cousin of none other than Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales.

She is also descended from King Edward III, who ruled England from 1327 until his death in 1377.

Jake Gyllenhaal

Jake Gyllenhaal is linked to King Edward III, through his father's side of the family
Jake Gyllenhaal is linked to King Edward III, through his father's side of the family

Jake Gyllenhaal, 43, and his sister Maggie, 46, are regulars on the red carpet with both starring in high-profile films.

They are also linked to King Edward III, through their father's family line.

This royal linkage makes them 19th cousins to late Queen Elizabeth II.

Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie is related to King Philip II, who was in the French royal family
Angelina Jolie is related to King Philip II, who was in the French royal family

It is not surprising that the Queen of Hollywood has royal ties in real life.

Angelina Jolie, 48, is related to the French royal family, and King Philip II, who reigned from 1180 to 1223, is one of her ancestors on her mum’s side.

Her ex also has royal lineage; Brad Pitt’s mum is linked to King Henry II of England, who ruled from 1154 to 1189.

Celine Dion

Singer Celine Dion has ties to King Philippe II of France
Singer Celine Dion has ties to King Philippe II of France

Celine Dion is famous all around the world thanks to her chart topping hits and powerful voice.

And it turns out the Canadian, 56, also has royal ties too.

She is related to King Philippe II of France, whose coronation took place in 1179.

Becky Pemberton

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