8 Celebrities We Didn’t Know Had Royal Ancestors

With their good looks, sharp talent, and worldwide success, some Hollywood stars have been reigning in pop culture for decades. But we would be surprised to discover that a few of these famous celebs actually do have royal blood running through their veins and descend from European kings. We might be even more astonished when we see a side-by-side comparison with their ancestors and spot a physical resemblance.

Bright Side is fascinated by stars who are writing history, just like their ancestors did centuries before them. We’ll share some famous celebrities who come from real-life royalty.

Brad Pitt and King Henry II

According to research, the Hollywood actor is related to Henry II, the twelfth-century English monarch.
He is also the twenty-fifth cousin, twice removed, of Queen Elizabeth II.

Tilda Swinton and King Edward I

The British actress is a direct descendant of Edward I of England and is also related to King Henry VIII.
Tilda Swinton is also related to the current royal family through the late Princess Diana; the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson; and the Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla Parker Bowles.

Madonna and Camilla Parker Bowles

Prince Charles’ wife, Camilla, and the American music icon are related, as they’re both descendants of the seventeenth-century French carpenter, Zacharie Cloutier, who settled in Quebec, Canada in 1634.

Rose Leslie and King Charles II

The Game of Thrones actress is a descendant of King Charles II of England through her mother. Rose Leslie grew up in a fifteenth-century castle in Scotland. Her husband and Game of Thrones co-star, Kit Harington, is also related to King Charles II through his grandmother.

Hilary Duff and Alexander Spotswood

The 34-year-old actress was named the “most royal” US celebrity, as she is the American star who is most closely related to Queen Elizabeth II by being her eighteenth cousin. Hilary Duff is the descendant of Alexander Spotswood, who was the tenth great-grandson of Edward III.

Kyra Sedgwick and Henry III of England

According to research, the actress is Queen Elizabeth’s twenty-first cousin, twice removed. They both share an ancestor, King Henry III of England, who ruled in the thirteenth century.

Michael Douglas and King Edward III

The 77-year-old Hollywood star is the nineteenth cousin, once removed, of Queen Elizabeth II. They share a common ancestor, King Edward III of England.

Angelina Jolie and Queen Elizabeth II

Angelina Jolie is also related to the Queen, being her twenty-sixth cousin. The English monarch and the American star share a common ancestor, Philip II of France.

Would you have ever suspected that these stars might actually have blue blood? What’s the furthest you’ve gone back to trace your own family tree?