Top 7 celebrities that have royal lineage

"The Eternals" UK Gala Screening - VIP Arrivals - Source: Getty
"The Eternals" UK Gala Screening - VIP Arrivals - Source: Getty

The blood of royalty does not only flow in the veins of kings and queens; it does so surprisingly in Hollywood as well. The family ties of many of today’s most adored celebrities with monarchs who ruled centuries ago are a good example.

When talking about actors having noble ancestors or singers being distantly related to European royalty, these stars' real-life connections are not limited to just fame and fortune. While some of the stars are very much open about their noble backgrounds, others prefer to remain humble, letting their work speak louder than their lineage.

In this article, we present to you seven celebrities who, whether they realize it or not, are carrying a bit of grandeur in their family trees, and at the same time, they are still like modern aristocrats in the limelight.


7 celebrities that have royal lineage

1. Kit Harington

Netflix Hosts A Special Lunch To Celebrate "Maria" In London - Source: Getty
Netflix Hosts A Special Lunch To Celebrate "Maria" In London - Source: Getty

Game of Thrones star Kit Harington doesn't just play a hero from noble families, but he actually comes from one. His ancestors include King Charles II of England. His father is a holder of a baronet title, Sir David Harington, while his mother's line directly relates to Robert Catesby, who organized the Gunpowder Plot.

Kit has often talked about how fascinated he was with his family history. He married Rose Leslie, an actress hailing from Scottish nobility. He and Rose Leslie live in an old countryside estate in England.


2. Beyoncé

2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards - Show - Source: Getty
2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards - Show - Source: Getty

Queen Bey may be more royal than previously thought! Genealogists found that Beyoncé is distantly related to Queen Elizabeth II through King Henry II of England, hence a very, very distant cousin to the late monarch. Though Beyoncé has not spoken about her ties to British royalty, it's pretty easy to understand why fans dub her Queen.

She takes command with her presence, enthralling us with her immense talent, and her illuminating leadership in music and fashion makes her hold an unparalleled place in every heart. This royal connection just adds another feather to that powerful image, confirming that her title of Queen isn't merely a nickname but can be claimed in her bloodline too.


3. Hilary Duff

5th Annual Academy Museum Gala - Arrivals - Source: Getty
5th Annual Academy Museum Gala - Arrivals - Source: Getty

Sweet Disney turned regal comeback queen, Hilary Duff, has some surprises in her royal past. Recent research shows she's a descendant of King Edward III of England, and maybe even connected with King Henry VIII, very distantly. Experts have even named her the most royal American celebrity due to the close ancestral links.

Besides being in one of the most famous families, Hilary is popular for her down-to-earth attitude, highly successful career, and happy personal life. She shines whenever she acts, sings, or produces a true royalty without a crown, yet oozing grace and authenticity.


4. Jake Gyllenhaal

"Othello" Broadway Opening Night - Source: Getty
"Othello" Broadway Opening Night - Source: Getty

Hollywood superstar Jake Gyllenhaal, star of films such as Nightcrawler and Brokeback Mountain, boasts one of the most impressive family trees tracing his lineage all the way back to European royalty. He is a descendant of King Edward III of England, technically a distant cousin of Queen Elizabeth II. His Swedish last name, Gyllenhaal, was also from an ancient noble family that had its roots in knights and diplomats during 17th-century Sweden.

Jake's regal origins seem to be reflected in his on-screen charisma and classic style. With his sister Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jake shares both artistic genius and noble blood-a combination very rarely seen, one that gives his family its timeless charm.


5. Dakota and Elle Fanning

82nd Golden Globe Awards Cocktail Hour - Source: Getty
82nd Golden Globe Awards Cocktail Hour - Source: Getty

Dakota and Elle Fanning are contemporary Hollywood stars; nonetheless, their genealogy narrates a royal tale. The siblings, via their mother’s line, go back to King Edward III of England, making them the 22nd great-granddaughters of the medieval monarch. Consequently, they are also the distant relatives of the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton.

Almost as if her connection to royalty had something to do with it Elle’s portrayal of Catherine the Great in The Great was indeed fated. They are the mix of the attributes of kings and queens, talent, and the past that make them the modern royals of Hollywood.


6. Uma Thurman

Dexter: Resurrection | World Premiere in NY - Source: Getty
Dexter: Resurrection | World Premiere in NY - Source: Getty

Uma Thurman is an American actress famous for her great roles in such films as Kill Bill and Pulp Fiction. She has royal ancestry tracing back to King Edward I of England. She can boast of a noble ancestry originating from Northern Europe, hence giving her both an artistic and aristocratic background.

Growing up in such an intellectual family, Uma was brought up surrounded by culture and literature, which helped develop her spirit of being bold and independent. She carries this regal air about her both on and off screen with strength, elegance, and confidence. And of course, her royal connection does add another dimension to the already intriguing personality.


7. Tilda Swinton

Chanel: Front Row - Paris Fashion Week - Womenswear Spring/Summer 2026 - Source: Getty
Chanel: Front Row - Paris Fashion Week - Womenswear Spring/Summer 2026 - Source: Getty

The particular charm and otherworldly presence of Tilda Swinton have long set her apart in Hollywood, and maybe that can be traced back to aristocratic blood. She is a member of one of Scotland's oldest noble families, the Swintons, which traces its history over more than a thousand years. Her father, Sir John Swinton, was a major in the British Army with deep roots in Scottish heritage.

Tilda often celebrates her unusual lineage on her platform, celebrating art and individuality. Her royal ancestry is well-suited to her reputation as one of cinema's most fearless and sophisticated performers.


These stars show that grand is not just about crowns or thrones; it can also be found in creativity, talent, and influence. Kit Harington’s noble ancestry and Beyoncé’s distant royal connections are just some of the historical aspects each of them carries that slowly form their contemporary identity.

Their victories are a reminder that excellent things come from far and wide, thus bringing the past and present together through legacy and zeal. It is not only their noble lineage that intrigues us, but also their toil, genuineness, and charm, which make them the present-day icons of both cinema and history.

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Edited by Priscillah Mueni