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Being able to casually mention you are related to a royal is a dinner party conversation showstopper that most people would love to have.
And while only a few normal people will be able to provide the evidence to make that claim, there are plenty of celebrities who can.
Thanks to ancestry websites, as well as shows such as the BBC’s Who Do You Think You Are and its American equivalent PBS’s Finding Your Roots, over the past few decades a slew of famous famous can now claim a royal connection.
The most recent of which was Sharon Stone, who claimed her mind was ‘completely blown’ after discovering this week that the first holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne was her 38th great-grandfather.
After hearing the news of her relation to the King of the Franks, who lived from 768 until his death in 814, the 66-year-old actress said: ‘If you want to see someone completely stunned, look at my face.’
However, Stone’s discovery is not as unusual as people might think.
According to genealogy experts, the further you look back in your family tree, there are a surprisingly high number of people who will find a royal ancestor.
Richard III for instance, who lived hundreds of years after Charlemagne in the 15th-Century, is predicted to have ‘literally millions’ of people alive now who are related to his immediate family.
This is due to sheer numbers, as by the time you go back more than 20 generations or so, based on the average reproduction rate, everyone will have millions of ancestors.
Nevertheless celebrities are far more likely to know about these links than other people, so here is a list of the biggest stars whose royal lineage has been well documented.
Sharon Stone’s mind was ‘completely blown’ after finding out she has royal roots in January
Sharon Stone’s relation Charlemagne reigned as King of the Franks in what is now France from AD 768 until his death in 814
Meghan Markle – King Edward III
Even before she married into the Royal Family, Meghan Markle could lay claim to more than one celebrated ancestor, although she likely wasn’t aware of the connections.
The former Suits actress is a direct descendant of King Edward III, who ruled from 1327 until 1377, according to genealogists. It means she and Harry are 17th cousins.
The Duchess of Sussex can also actually trace her ancestry back to several European royal houses through her grandmother’s ancestor Roger Shaw.
Acclaimed royal author Andrew Morton painstakingly went through her family tree for his 2018 biography of her ‘Meghan: A Hollywood Princess’.
He wrote: ‘It is possible to trace a direct line through 25 generations to Robert I of Scotland, perhaps the most colourful of all Scottish kings. It is the lineage of Meghan’s gran that can be traced directly to the Scottish royals and more.
‘Through her ancestor Roger Shaw, Meghan’s trickle of blue blood was transported to America. The son of a wine merchant in the City of London, Shaw sailed from Plymouth to Massachusetts around 1637.’
Meghan Markle is a direct descendant of King Edward III, who ruled from 1327 until 1377, according to genealogists. It means she and Harry are 17th cousins.
In 2017, researchers discovered that Meghan is related to both wartime prime minister Winston Churchill and William Shakespeare
The Duchess of Sussex and Churchill are both descendants of Sarah and Zachariah Howe
He added: ‘Meghan is distantly related to most European royal families thanks to her English kinswoman Margaret Kerdeston, who lived in the 15th century.
In 2017, researchers also discovered that she is also related to both wartime prime minister Winston Churchill and William Shakespeare.
According to ancestry website MyHeritage, she is the sixth cousin five times removed of Churchill and is the fifth cousin 13 times removed of Shakespeare.
However Meghan seems to shun her British links, instead focusing on other parts of her heritage. A DNA test revealed last year that she was 43 per cent Nigerian.
Kit Harrington – Queen Camilla
A far less historical connection than most on this list, Kit Harrington is related to Queen Camilla.
The Game of Thrones star is related to King Charles’ wife through John Tufton, the 2nd Earl of Thanet.
The Earl was an ardent Royalist who took part in the indecisive Battle of Edgehill in 1642, after Charles I had declared war on Parliamentarian ‘rebels’.
The king ultimately lost the Civil War and was executed for High Treason in 1649.
The Battle of Edgehill was one of the first of the Civil War, which broke out over Charles’s belief in the divine right of kings and his quarrels with Parliament.
Queen Camilla is related to Harrington through John Tufton, the 2nd Earl of Thanet. The Earl was an ardent Royalist who took part in the indecisive Battle of Edgehill in 1642, after Charles had declared war on Parliamentarian ‘rebels’
The conflict, which was fought near Edge Hill in Warwickshire, was bloody and chaotic, with both the Royalist and Parliamentary sides losing a similar number of men.
It prevented either side from gaining a quick victory in the war and ultimately meant that the fighting would go on for four years.
The Earl of Thanet, who Camilla is related to on her mother’s side, was later forced to surrender to the parliamentarian army and his home, Wiston House in West Sussex, was occupied.
The Earl was then able to escape to France, leaving his wife and children in England.
He returned in 1644 and was fined by Parliament, prompting him to sell his looted home.
After the Restoration in 1660, when the deposed monarch’s son, King Charles II, was installed, the Earl’s place of residence was listed as Lord’s Place, in Lewes.
While attempting to avoid paying tax on it, he described it as a ‘ruinous and useless house for the most part fallen downe and lying waste.’ The aristocrat died in 1664.
Meanwhile, Harrington’s wife, Rose Leslie, 37, is a descendant of King Charles II on her mother’s side.
Danny Dyer – William the Conqueror and Edward III
When EastEnders star Danny Dyer appeared on BBC ancestry show Who Do You Think You Are? in 2016, few would have expected that he would be related to one royal, let alone two.
Dyer discovered he is a direct descendant of both King Edward III and William the Conqueror, as well as Thomas Cromwell, Henry VIII’s advisor.
In 2019, he uncovered further gilded connections in his BBC show Danny Dyer’s Right Royal Family.
When EastEnders star Danny Dyer appeared on BBC ancestry show Who Do You Think You Are? in 2016, few would have expected that he would be related to one royal, let alone two. Dyer discovered he is a direct descendant of both King Edward III (right)
Danny Dyer was also shocked to discover he is related to King of England William I, known as the Conqueror
He found that he is also the 26th great-grandson of King Louis IX.
It was his connection with Cromwell that resonated most. He previously told the Radio Times: ‘He came from a slum, I come from a slum.
‘Cromwell left the country at 14, I started acting at 14. He was a self-taught lawyer. I’m a self-taught actor. Cromwell had two daughters and a son.
‘I’ve got two daughters and a son. Cromwell wrote his last letter to Henry VIII begging for his life, on July 24, which is my birthday… And I drink in the Anne Boleyn pub.’
Benedict Cumberbatch – Richard III
When the remains of Richard III were reburied in Leicester Cathedral in 2015, three years after they had been found in a car park in the city, there was one unlikely attendee at the ceremony.
Benedict Cumberbatch is a third cousin 16 times removed of the doomed 15th century king.
He read Carol Ann Duffy’s poem, Richard, at the service, which was broadcast on Channel 4.
At the time, Cumberbatch was starring as Richard in the BBC drama The Hollow Crown.
Benedict Cumberbatch is a third cousin 16 times removed of Richard III. He read Carol Ann Duffy’s poem, Richard, at the monarch’s reburial service in Leicester Cathedral in 2015 (above left), which was broadcast on Channel 4
Josh Widdicombe – Henry VIII and Edward I
Like many others on this list, comedian Josh Widdicombe learned he was related to royalty on BBC1’s Who Do You Think You Are?.
He was stunned when he was told the six times married monarch Henry VIII is his 23 times great-grandfather.
The Last Leg star’s link to Henry VIII (1491-1547) is through a distant great grandmother, said to be the king’s illegitimate daughter.
The 41-year-old also discovered he is descended from Edward I (1239-1307).
After discovering the news, 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?’
Comedian Josh Widdicombe learned he was related to King Henry VIII on BBC1’s Who Do You Think You Are?
Alexander Armstrong – William the Conqueror
Comedian and actor Alexander Armstrong found he is descended from William the Conqueror.
The 54-year-old made the astonishing discovery as he traced his family tree on the BBC’s Who Do You Think You Are?.
He told the Express at the time: ‘There is something absolutely thrilling about these discoveries. I can make out the 20 generations taking me to Edward III, and William the Conqueror is the pinnacle of my line.’
William the Conqueror, the Duke of Normandy, began the Norman conquest of England on September 28, 1066.
The battle culminated in victory at the Battle of Hastings on October 14, 1066 against King Harold II of England.
Comedian and actor Alexander Armstrong found he is descended from William the Conqueror
Beyonce Knowles – King Henry II
She may be known by the nickname Queen Bey, but popstar Beyonce Knowles is actually related to royalty.
The Single Ladies singer, 43, can trace her royal roots through Louisiana, Acadia, and back to the French settlers.
Through that line she shares a common ancestor with the late Queen Elizabeth – King Henry II, who was the monarch’s 24th great-grandfather.
Henry II of England lived from 1133 to 1189 and his desire to control the English Church led to conflict with his former friend Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Beyonce shares a common ancestor with the late Queen Elizabeth – King Henry II (right), who was the monarch’s 24th great-grandfather
Johnny Depp – Edward III
In 2014 the Daily Mail proved that Johnny Depp, 61, is the 20th cousin of Queen Elizabeth II and both are descendants of Edward III, who died in 1377.
According to Nick Barratt, genealogist on the BBC’s Who Do You Think You Are?, the link between the actor and the Queen, 87, dates back to Edward III, who died in 1377.
While the Queen is Edward’s 17 times great-granddaughter, one branch of Depp’s ancestors hail from Yorkshire, and are relatives of the 3rd Earl of Northumberland, Henry Percy, who died in 1489 and who was Edward’s four-times great-grandson.
Thus linking Edward III with Edward Scissorhands…
In 2014 the Daily Mail proved that Johnny Depp, 61, is a descendant of Edward III, who died in 1377
Ellen DeGeneres – Catherine, Princess of Wales
Many considered Ellen DeGeneres, 67, to be an undisputed queen of comedy until she quit her chat show following claims of a ‘toxic’ workplace culture.
But the Louisiana native is also related to royalty herself, as she is the 15th cousin of none other than Catherine, Princess of Wales.
She is yet another descendant of King Edward III, who ruled England from 1327 until his death in 1377.
Ellen DeGeneres, 67, is the 15th cousin of none other than Catherine, Princess of Wales
Jake and Maggie Gyllenhaal – King Edward III
Manhattan born Jake Gyllenhaal, 44, and his sister Maggie, 47, 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, which is a noble family of Swedish and English ancestry.
This royal linkage makes them 19th cousins to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Manhattan born Jake Gyllenhaal, 44, and his sister Maggie, 47, are linked to King Edward III
Boris Johnson – King George II
In 2008, then Mayor of London Boris Johnson appeared on Who Do You Think You Are? – where he uncovered that he was related to King George II, who lived from 1683 to 1760.
He discovered his heritage is almost as diverse as that of the capital itself, saying on the episode: ‘Like honey…or indeed British sherry,’ says Boris, ‘I am the produce of more than one country.’
After visiting his family seat, the grand Baroque palace of Ludwigsburg, he discovered his royal link.
‘I’m more than surprised, I’m stupified,’ he said. ‘I’ve always felt like the product of newcomers to Britain, so it’s totally bizarre and surreal to be told that, in fact, my eight times great grandfather was George II.
‘Not even Granny Butter in her wildest dreams could have come up with that one.’
Boris is also related to another former Prime Minister, David Cameron, through the same illegitimate lines to George II – making them distant cousins.
In 2008, then Mayor of London Boris Johnson appeared on Who Do You Think You Are? – where he uncovered that he was related to King George II, who lived from 1683 to 1760
Paris Hilton – Henry II
It may seem surprising that American heiress Paris Hilton, 43, who is notorious for rising to fame after a sex tape, comes from a regal bloodline.
But it turns out the socialite is Queen Elizabeth II’s 20th cousin.
From her father’s side she is a descendant of King Henry II, who ruled England between 1133 and 1189.
In 2020 she opened up about her connection in an issue of Cosmopolitan where she said: ‘My mom just did one of those 23andMe DNA kits and I am related to Marilyn Monroe and Queen Elizabeth.
‘That’s what it said.’
Paris Hilton is related to King Henry II, who ruled England between 1133 and 1189
Madonna – Queen Camilla
As one mounts ever-more desperate attempts to cling to youth and beauty, the other — blooming and unexpectedly popular — is enjoying a later-life renaissance.
Certainly Madonna, 66, could do with taking advice from ninth cousin (once removed) Camilla Parker Bowles on graceful ageing.
The Queen, 77, and the one-time Queen of Pop are descended from French-Canadians Madeleine Ernard and her carpenter husband Zacharie Cloutier (1617-1708).
The couple were part of one of the most influential families in Canada.
The genetic connection was first made several years ago by the New England Historic Genealogical Society in Boston, which also revealed that French-Canadian singer Celine Dion is from the same family.
Madonna’s ex-husband Guy Ritchie, 56, is also related to royalty, as he’s sixth cousins with the Kate Middleton, and was invited to her wedding to Prince William in 2011.
Their shared heritage dates back to the 18th century and a couple named David Martineau, a Norwich surgeon, and Sarah Meadows, who were Kate’s six times great-grandparents and Ritchie’s five times great-grandparents.
The Queen, 77, and Madonna, 66, are descended from French-Canadians Madeleine Ernard and her carpenter husband Zacharie Cloutier (1617-1708)
Taylor Swift – King Louis XIV of France
As recently as 2023 it was revealed that Taylor Swift is also distantly related to a real-life king.
The singer, 35, is allegedly related to the famous 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.
Louis XIV, also known as Louis the Great or the Sun King, was King of France from 1643 until his death in 1715. His reign of 72 years and 110 days is the longest of any sovereign.
Genealogy network Ancestry also revealed the superstar singer is the sixth cousin three times removed of American poet Emily Dickinson.
Genealogy network Ancestry revealed that superstar singer Taylor Swift is related to the famous King Louis XIV of France
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