Celebrities Related To Royalty

It’s no secret that the stars of stage and screen are the modern-day equivalent of history’s kings and queens.

This idea has even become anchored in contemporary terminology, with phrases such as ‘Hollywood Royalty’ and ‘queen of the stage’ being common phrases in popular culture. 

In the majority of cases, it’s likely that these sovereign-like superstars aren’t actually genuine royals. Those enjoying fame and fortune in the modern world may live like kings and queens, with palatial homes, great fortunes and vast entourages, and they may travel in more luxury than many genuine royals enjoy, but the comparisons with royalty are usually more of a metaphor than a reference to regal lineage. 

On occasion, however, there are members of Hollywood Royalty or popular culture who can claim genuine connections to royalty or nobility. These may be the exception rather than the rule, but some celebrities can trace their family history back to distant royal roots, with some even enjoying a relatively close kinship with some of today’s most famous royals. 

Here are some insights about one famous family that can claim a whole host of celebrities related to royalty, including legendary royal figures from history, and the more familiar modern royals of today. 

The Fiennes Family

In 2014, the Financial Times, one of England’s most respected and established newspapers, ran a profile on the actor Ralph Fiennes. 

The piece included a catalogue of impressive credentials from the esteemed actor’s successful acting career. Yet there was one intriguing detail that caught the imagination of many eager readers, as well as sparking a series of spin-off articles across both printed and digital media. 

The simple nugget of information that sparked such excitement was the fact that this acting celebrity was, by a number of degrees, related to Prince Charles, England’s Prince of Wales and heir to the British Throne.

The Actor, The Prince & The King of Scotland 

The connection between the Fiennes Family and the Prince of Wales is believed to date back all the way to the 15th century, with the famous King of Scots, James II being the regal link between the two families. 

King James II of Scotland was a legendary Scottish king, a member of the famous House of Stewart – a royal lineage that produced a wealth of great kings and queens, including the famous Mary, Queen of Scots, and ending with Anne, Queen of Great Britain in the early 18th century.  

The fact that Prince Charles is related to such an important royal family line is not all that surprising, given the value placed on hereditary succession within the royal houses of Europe throughout the ages. It’s the intriguing connection of the Fiennes family line to this ancient lineage of great monarchs that makes such a celebrity link all the more fascinating. 

Celebrity Siblings Related To Royalty

Ralph Fiennes is just one famous member of the Fiennes clan to be related to the British Royal Family through their ancient connection to King James II of Scotland. 

Ralph Fiennes is certainly one of the most well-known family members, due largely to his legendary acting roles in the hugely popular Harry Potter and James Bond films series. His acting credentials reflect his celebrity status as Hollywood Royalty, garnering a whole host of prestigious awards and nominations over his decades-long career. 

Yet, Ralph is not the only Fiennes to grace the movie theatres and TV screens around the world. Both his brother, Joseph Fiennes, and his nephew, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, are also renowned actors, with the latter joining his famous uncle in the film adaptation of the Harry Potter series. 

The list of celebrity siblings boasting the Fiennes royal roots continues with Martha Fiennes who is another award-winning creative through her work in film directing, writing and producing, as well as being the mother of Hero Fiennes Tiffin and Mercy Fiennes Tiffin who have already embarked on their own acting careers. 

Another famous Fiennes sibling is Joseph Fiennes, yet another acclaimed actor from this talented celebrity family. He is perhaps best known for his lead role in the 1998 smash hit Shakespeare in Love, where he starred alongside such other Hollywood luminaries as Gwyneth Paltrow, Geoffrey Rush, Colin Firth, Ben Affleck and Judi Dench. 

Sophie Fiennes, another Fiennes sister, also works in film as a producer and director, while another Fiennes sibling, Magnus, states within the entertainment industry but breaks away from the acting mold with a career in music. His success and accomplishments are no less impressive, however, having worked with a range of well-known celebrities in the music industry, such as Shakira, Pulp, Tom Jones, Morcheeba and All Saints.

The Duchy & The Conservationist

In an intriguing twist that echoes the connection to the Prince of Wales, the remaining sibling, Jacob Fiennes, works as a conservationist, managing an estate in Norfolk that aligns with many of the principles of the Prince’s Duchy of Cornwall. 

Prince Charles has long been an advocate for the value and benefit of nature and organic, environmentally-friendly farming and production, and his famous Cornwall estate is a proud testament to his lifelong devotion to nature and conservation. 

It’s a sign of great progress and equality that the superstars and celebrities of the modern world come from all walks of life. In the modern culture of inclusivity and social mobility, there is far more scope than in previous centuries for people of all backgrounds and origins to rise within their profession and elevate their social status. 

As a result, it’s no longer expected that those who achieve contemporary fame and fortune have come from privileged backgrounds or belong to families enjoying royal or noble connections. Perhaps this is what makes it all the more fascinating when a link is discovered between an ordinary family who have achieved superstar status and an ancient family line of great kings and queens. 

Whatever the reason behind the appeal and interest of celebrities related to royalty, it’s clear that the blend of modern celebrity and royal history make for a compelling combination.