A new genealogical study has uncovered surprising connections between a number of American and British celebrities. These links lead straight back to the British royal family, most notably Queen Elizabeth II. The unexpected results show that many famous personalities, including politicians and celebrities, have the same ancestors as the Queen, going back as far as 27 generations. This new film is a reminder of the many historical ties that continue to connect them. It underscores the fascinating overlaps between celebrity and royal lineage.
Surprisingly, actor Johnny Depp, one of the most acclaimed actors of our time best known for his unusual roles is related to Queen Elizabeth II. A genealogist traced Depp’s lineage back over 500 years to a shared ancestor, King Edward III, making them 20th cousins. This link lends an ironic twist to Depp’s new public persona, marrying the fame he once enjoyed in Hollywood to his royal background.
Hilary Duff, the former star of Lizzie McGuire, goes on to be the celebrity furthest connected to the Queen. Today, Duff and Queen Elizabeth II are said to be 18th cousins. This unexpected relation sheds light on yet another connection between contemporary entertainment personas and the British royal family.
Madonna, the perennial pop diva, has a rather interesting link to that of Queen Elizabeth II. They are related to each other as ninth cousins one time removed! Both perform might be hardly naive to Zacharie Cloutier. He was an obscure 17th-century French-Canadian who played a key role in bridging several major family lines. Queen Camilla would make for a colorful cousin many times removed to Cloutier. This layering of connections underscores the close-knit nature of the extended families between these powerful men.
Celine Dion has long been considered one of the greatest singers, her voice a force of nature. Interestingly, she has a secret familial connection to Queen Elizabeth II. They share a common ancestor in Jean Guyon, a Frenchman who immigrated and settled in what is now Quebec, and this makes them 10th cousins, once removed. This unexpected news joins Dion in the company of other famous figures with royal links, showcasing how deeply woven their pasts really are.
The connections do not stop there. Ellen DeGeneres, host of the wildly popular daytime talk show, is distantly related to Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge. DeGeneres joked that she had a “really expensive, beautiful outfit” all planned for Middleton’s wedding to Prince William. This jocular remark was indicative of the fun and frivolity that came with their royal ties.
For modern day actor Benedict Cumberbatch, there’s a captivating relationship to be had with Richard III, the Plantagenet dynasty’s last monarch. He is Richard’s second cousin 16 times removed. He interpreted the identification of this relationship as miraculous and stressful at the same time. These types of discoveries can radically reframe an individual’s understanding of their own ancestry and identity.
Ralph Fiennes connects to this royal story as he is King Charles III’s eighth cousin. The beauty of this web of relationships shows us the ways in which history still informs today’s identities.
Guy Ritchie, filmmaker and TV creator, found to be sixth cousins with Kate Middleton. Want to see more of Kit Harington’s surprising connection to King Charles III? They can both equally claim ancestry from King James III of Scotland. These ties highlight the deep family branches that connect through time and place, even when separated by oceans or centuries.
Then, through the genealogical findings, we learn the amazing life stories that connect these individuals. They encourage us to remember that history connects us all in unexpected and deep ways. Whether you’ve been halfway around the world or just to your couch, the discovery of these shared ancestors brings together Hollywood glamor and European nobility. It calls us to dig deeper into the complex weave of human evolution.
