The celebrities you didn’t realise were related to royalty from Meghan Markle to Madonna
THEY'RE used to gracing red carpets and may even be classed as Hollywood royalty.
But it turns out that a number of celebrities we're used to seeing on the small and big screen have royal blood in their veins.
Comic Josh Widdicombe was the latest celeb to learn he's related to royalty.
He nearly lost his head when he was told the six times married monarch Henry VIII is his 23 times great-grandfather in TV’s Who Do You Think You Are?.
The Last Leg funnyman also discovered he is descended from Edward I in a new episode of the BBC show, in which celebrities trace their family trees with the help of genealogy experts.
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?”
He also found out his ten times great-grandfather Henry Rich was the first Earl of Holland, a trusted adviser to King Charles I.
His rather unglamorous role was to accompany him to the toilet at all times as “groom of the stool”.
Josh is not the only celeb to have descended from royalty. Here are some others who deserve their very own thrones...
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Kit Harington
His character Jon Snow is the reluctant King of the North in Game of Thrones.
And in real life, actor Kit Harington 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.
Meghan Markle
It turns out that Meghan Markle was always related to royalty, even before she married Prince Harry.
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
She may be known as Queen Bey, but Beyoncé Knowles is actually related to royalty.
The Single Ladies singer can trace her royal roots through Louisiana, Acadia, and back to the French. The common ancestor she shares is King Henry II, who was Queen Elizabeth's 24th great-grandfather.
Madonna
Madonna is undoubtedly the Queen of Pop, and she's also a royal when it comes to her family too.
The music legend is ninth cousin, once removed, of the Duchess of of Cornwall, Camilla Parker-Bowles. Her ex-husband Guy Ritchie is also related to royalty, as he's sixth cousins with the Duchess of Cambridge and was invited to her wedding to Prince William.
Ralph Fiennes
Not only did he win the Tony Award for playing Prince Hamlet on Broadway in 1995, but Ralph Fiennes is also eighth cousins with Prince Charles.
According to the Financial Times, they are related through James II of Scotland, who ruled during the 1400s.
Thandie Newton
As the daughter of a Zimbabwean princess, Thandie Newton is actually a princess herself, according to Shona custom.
In an 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
Many consider Tom Hanks 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
EastEnders actor Danny Dyer 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 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.
Hugh Grant
With his effortless charm and floppy hair, Hugh Grant is one of the most popular English actors on the big screen.
And the London-born star has royal ties too, being a descendant from Henry VII, the first monarch of the House of Tudor, who was Henry VIII's dad.
He is also related to James IV, King of Scotland, who ruled between 1488 and 1513.
Uma Thurman
Kill Bill actress Uma Thurman has made a big name for herself on red carpets and in numerous blockbusters.
But did you know she is the Queen’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
Not only is Uma Thurman a distant cousin of the Queen, but Johnny Depp also has these ties.
The axed Pirates of the Caribbean star is the Queen’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 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
It may seem surprising that socialite Paris Hilton, who also has a sex tape, comes from a regal bloodline.
But the heiress is Elizabeth II’s 20th cousin, it turns out.
They both are related to Henry II of England, who ruled from 1154 to 1189.
Hilary Duff
Lizzie McGuire star Hilary Duff has long been considered by fans to be a princess of the Disney channel.
But the star is also related to the Queen, who is her 18th cousin.
The pair share an ancestor in King Edward III, who ruled between 1327 and 1377.
Ellen DeGeneres
Many considered Ellen DeGeneres 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, Duchess of Cambridge.
She is also descended from King Edward III, who ruled England from 1327 until his death in 1377.
Jake Gyllenhaal
Jake Gyllenhaal and his sister Maggie are regulars on the red carpet with both starring in high-profile films.
But did you know they are also linked to King Edward III, through their father?
This royal linkage makes them 19th cousins to the Queen.
Angelina Jolie
It is not surprising that the Queen of Hollywood has royal ties in real life.
Angelina Jolie 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
Celine Dion is famous all around the world thanks to her chart topping hits and powerful voice.
And it turns out the Canadian also has royal ties too.
She is related to King Philippe II of France, whose coronation took place in 1179.
This lot truly are celeb royalty!