Discovering that you are a royal family member could fulfill many people's dreams. It's no surprise that this has been the basis for the storylines of several popular films, but just because you're related to a queen doesn't mean you get a free ticket to the formal festivities held at the castle.
Several members of Queen Elizabeth II's family have careers in the film and music industries. Despite this, it is highly improbable that public members will catch her socializing with celebrities like Paris Hilton, for instance. Here is a list of famous people who can trace their ancestry back to royalty.
1. Paris Hilton
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Paris Hilton announced earlier this year that she is a distant cousin of Marilyn Monroe and Queen Elizabeth II. Hilton claims that her royal ancestry can be traced back to a DNA test her mother took. Everyone knows the Hiltons started their dynasty, so it shouldn't be surprising that their blood runs hot with ambition. They must have it in their genes. While Paris Hilton may be the most well-known royal relative, she is not alone.
2. Beyonce
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Beyoncé's nickname, "Queen Bee," is not coincidental. The singer is a second cousin of Queen Elizabeth II. They are both 25th cousins once removed from Henry II.
Beyoncé got along great with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry on the red carpet of The Lion King, even though she is not close enough to the British royal family to have a title.
3. Jake Gyllenhaal
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Jake Gyllenhaal is a member of the Gyllenhaal family, a famous Hollywood acting dynasty. However, he has royal ties to Sweden, which became a running gag in his family. Government records attest to the Gyllenhaal family's place in Swedish history. Even if the brothers didn't take any official stance, watching them portray their forebears in a film would be cool.
4. Benedict Cumberbatch
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Relationship between Benedict Cumberbatch and King Richard III of England. It turns out that the actor and the king are 16th cousins, a relationship about which he feels quite proud. As his cousin, Cumberbatch has been in a BBC series before. He also went to Leicester Cathedral in 2015 to rebury his cousin and recite a poem about Richard III.
5. Angelina Jolie
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To no one's surprise, Angeline Jolie can also trace her ancestry back to the British royal family. Her mother, Marcheline Bertrand, is an actress. Hence Maleficent's star has a connection to the 12th-century French royal family of Philip II and Louis VII. She shares ancestry with another historical figure, Marie of France. Researchers also discovered that she is a distant cousin of Queen Elizabeth II through their research into her family tree.
6. Brad Pitt
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The actor and the queen are 25th cousins through their shared progenitor, King Henry II; he also shares a common ancestor with Angelina Jolie. Arranged marriages between England and France would not be out of the question if both parties involved were born several centuries ago.
7. Elle Fanning
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Research indicates that Elle Fanning is the 22nd great-granddaughter of King Edward III of England through her mother, Heather Joy Arrington. The sisters share a common ancestor with another living member of the royal family. Kate Middleton's 21st-cousins-once-removed. Elle Fanning played a princess on television, but actors like her aren't invited to real-life royal functions. She co-starred opposite Angelina Jolie, also featured as Aurora in Maleficent.
8. Ozzy Osbourne
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Ozzy Osbourne is already a divisive figure, but he would have been considerably more so if he had been a bona fide member of the royal family. His family tree includes not one but two royal dynasties, which may come as a surprise to some. After submitting his DNA for analysis, the musician learned he was related to King George I and Nicholas II, the last Czar of Russia. His DNA test revealed ancient Pompeian ancestry as well. Undoubtedly, his genes carry a wealth of experience and knowledge.
9. Hilary Duff
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According to the genealogy website Find My Past, Hillary Duffy has the most royal blood of any American celebrity. According to her family tree, she descends from Alexander Spotswood, a 17th-century British Army officer and great-grandson of King Edward III. As a result, she shares a family tree with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.