13 Celebrities Related to Royalty

Most of the celebrities on this list are considered Hollywood royalty, but did you know that they also share bloodlines with actual medieval kings and queens? Some stars even share some character traits with their royal ancestors. Discover thirteen celebrities related to royalty that you probably never would have guessed. But honestly, it’s no surprise that regal Angelina is!

1. Ellen DeGeneres

Who knew that funny lady Ellen DeGeneres has royalty in her blood? Sources claim that the talk show host is the 15th cousin of the future Queen of England, Kate Middleton, presently known as the Duchess of Cambridge. Apparently DeGeneres is a direct descendant of King Edward III who took the throne in England in 1327.

2. Angelina Jolie

Supposedly, the actress is related to French King Phillip II through her mother’s side of the family. King Phillip II ruled France from 1180 to 1223. Much like Jolie, King Phillip II loved to give back to his country. He constructed the Louvre and even granted the University of Paris its charter in 1200.

3. Hugh Grant

The Love Actually star played the Prime Minister in the film, so maybe he knows a bit about ruling the land. Hugh Grant is apparently related to King Henry VII on his mother’s side. This king of England ruled from 1485 to 1509 and was a monarch of the House of Tudor. Henry VII is also the grandfather of Elizabeth I. Supposedly, Grant has connections on his father’s side as well. He’s distantly related to James IV of Scotland.

4. Brooke Shields

Model/actress Brooke Shields recently discovered her royal connections. Shields is a descendant of King Henry IV of France who ruled from 1589 to 1610. King Henry IV was not well liked during his reign because he granted religious freedoms to Protestants, which angered Catholics. He was assassinated by a Catholic in 1610.

5. Brad Pitt

Pitt and Jolie both belong to royal family. Brad Pitt is apparently related to King Henry the II of England who ruled from 1154 to 1189. Like Pitt, King Henry the II had many children; ten to be exact. Much like Pitt’s success in acting, King Henry was considered one of the greatest medieval rulers.

6. Hilary Duff

Hilary Duff shares the same royal blood line of Ellen Degeneres. The actress turned singer is also related to Edward the III. Edward took the throne at the age of fourteen, while Duff began her career on Lizze McGuire around the same age. Sources also say Duff is 18th cousins with the current Queen of England, Elizabeth II, making her one of the closest celebrities related to royalty in Hollywood.

7. Tom Hanks

It’s no surprise that the A-list actor has royal ancestry. Hanks is related to medieval King John of England, the youngest son of Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine. King John is often depicted negatively in Hollywood as a villain in Robin Hood related films. Maybe Hanks will be able to play him in a movie someday.

8. Uma Thurman

The Kill Bill actress is royally related to King Edward I of England. Edward I ruled England from 1272 to 1307, he is remembered as the “Hammer of the Scots.” Uma is known for her long, lanky body, so it’s ironic that King Edward’s surname was Longshanks.

9. Michael Douglas

Like Degeneres and Duff, Douglas is also related to Edward III of England, one of the longest ruling monarchs. His royal lineage also makes him the 19th cousin of the current Queen of England. We wonder if success is in his bloodline, because he’s one of the greatest actors in the business.

10. Paris Hilton

Here’s one of the celebrities related to royalty that didn’t really shock us. Hollywood’s most famous socialite and hotel heiress is related to English royalty. Hilton, like Brad Pitt, is distantly related to King Henry II who ruled much of the British Isles and France down the Pyrenees. Like Paris, King Henry was known for being a a medieval jetsetter. No wonder Hilton always likes to act like a spoiled princess – it’s in her blood!

11. Johnny Depp

The talented actor shares bloodlines with Sir William Gascoigne and Margaret Percy, who was the daughter of the 3rd Earl of Northumberland, a direct descendant of King Edward III. His ancestry makes him the 20th cousin of Queen Elizabeth II. He and Queen Elizabeth share a great-grandfather who goes back 19 generations.

12. Glenn Close

Like Tom Hanks, actress Glenn Close is a descendant of King John of England, which also makes her a distant relative of Eleanor of Aquitaine. Just as Glenn Close is regarded as one of the most influential actress in Hollywood, Eleanor is recognized as one of the most powerful women of the High Middle Ages.

13. Maggie and Jake Gyllenhaal

Like Johnny Depp, celebrity siblings Maggie and Jake Gyllenhaal also share ancestry with King Edward III of England. This royal relation makes them 19th cousins to Queen Elizabeth II. Who knew?