Celebs Who Are Secretly Royalty in Other Countries

Genealogical research often reveals that the glamour of Hollywood is sometimes backed by centuries of royal heritage. Many famous actors and performers possess direct ancestral links to European monarchs and ancient ruling houses. These connections are typically discovered through deep archival searches or participation in genealogy programs that trace family trees back to the Middle Ages. While these celebrities have built their own careers, their lineages connect them to the history of thrones and empires across the globe.

Kit Harington

Through his father’s side, the actor is a direct descendant of King Charles II of England. His grandmother, Lavender Cecilia Denny, was married to Richard Harington, the 12th Baronet Harington, a title that has existed since the 17th century. This lineage connects the ‘Game of Thrones’ star to the House of Stuart through an illegitimate line of the monarch. Additionally, his ancestor John Harington was a prominent courtier who served Queen Elizabeth I.

Benedict Cumberbatch

The ‘Sherlock’ star is a third cousin, 16 times removed, of King Richard III, the last English king to die in battle. This historical connection was confirmed by genealogists at Ancestry.com while the actor was filming ‘The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses’. In a notable convergence of life and history, Cumberbatch portrayed his own ancestor in the television production. He also attended the reinterment of Richard III in 2015, where he read a poem in honor of the monarch.

Tilda Swinton

The Academy Award-winning actress can trace her ancestry back to King Robert the Bruce, who secured Scotland’s independence from England. Her family, the Swintons, is one of only three in Britain that can trace their land ownership and lineage back to before the Norman Conquest. Swinton’s father was a Major-General in the British Army and the Laird of Kimmerghame House in Berwickshire. This deep-rooted Scottish heritage has remained a significant part of her family’s identity for generations.

Brooke Shields

Research conducted for the series ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’ revealed that the actress is a direct descendant of King Henry IV of France. She is also related to the noble House of Grimaldi, the family that has ruled Monaco for centuries. Her lineage includes connections to Catherine de’ Medici and Lucrezia Borgia through her father’s aristocratic Italian and French roots. This makes her one of the most closely related American celebrities to European royalty currently living.

Rose Leslie

Born into a family of Scottish nobility, the actress spent much of her childhood in Lickleyhead Castle in Aberdeenshire. Her father is the chieftain of Clan Leslie, and her mother is a descendant of King Charles II of England. This royal connection means she shares a common ancestor with her husband and ‘Game of Thrones’ co-star, Kit Harington. Her family’s history is deeply intertwined with British political and military life over several centuries.

Ralph Fiennes

The actor known for his roles in ‘Schindler’s List’ and the ‘Harry Potter’ series is an eighth cousin of King Charles III. Both men are descendants of King James II of Scotland, who reigned during the 15th century. This noble connection extends to his siblings, including director Martha Fiennes and actor Joseph Fiennes. The family tree also includes various members of the British peerage and high-ranking military officers.

Hilary Duff

Genealogists have identified the ‘How I Met Your Mother’ actress as the “most royal” celebrity in America due to her extensive lineage. She is the 18th cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II through her ancestor Alexander Spotswood, who served as a British Army officer. Her ancestry traces directly back to King Edward III of England, linking her to the Plantagenet dynasty. This verified connection places her at the top of many lists regarding American celebrities with noble backgrounds.

Hugh Grant

The star of ‘Notting Hill’ has a family tree that features King Henry VII of England and King James IV of Scotland. His father’s side of the family includes a long line of military officers and members of the British aristocracy, such as the Earls of Nottingham. These ties link him to several centuries of British and Scottish royal history. Despite his modern public persona, Grant’s heritage is firmly rooted in the traditional ruling classes of the United Kingdom.

Maggie Gyllenhaal

Along with her brother Jake, the actress is a descendant of King Edward III, who ruled England in the 14th century. Their royal connection comes through their father, Stephen Gyllenhaal, who belongs to the Swedish noble Gyllenhaal family. This lineage was documented through genealogical records that track the family’s migration and social status over hundreds of years. Their status as descendants of a Plantagenet king connects them to the broader European royal network.

Danny Dyer

The ‘EastEnders’ actor discovered his unlikely royal heritage during an episode of ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’. Experts confirmed that he is a direct descendant of King Edward III and Thomas Cromwell, the powerful advisor to Henry VIII. The discovery showed that while Dyer grew up in a working-class environment, his ancestors were once at the heart of the English court. He later explored this history in the documentary series ‘Danny Dyer’s Right Royal Family’.

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