It’s certainly fascinating to learn that Queen Camilla and Princess Diana, two figures often seen as polar opposites in the public eye, are actually related—though it’s through a rather distant and complex family tree. Both women are believed to be descendants of King Charles II, but through illegitimate lines, making them distant cousins. Diana’s great-grandmothers, Adelaide Seymour and Rosalind Bingham, were mothers to two of Charles II’s illegitimate sons, Henry Fitzroy and Charles Lennox. Camilla’s great-grandmother, Alice Keppel, was a longtime mistress to King Edward VII, who was the son of Queen Victoria. Alice’s great-great-grandfather, Colonel William Coutts Keppel, was a descendant of Charles Lennox, further intertwining the two women’s genealogies.
But the familial connections don’t end there. Queen Camilla and King Charles are also related, tracing their shared ancestry to the 17th century. They both descend from Alice Keppel, Camilla’s great-grandmother, who had an affair with King Edward VII—Charles’ great-great-grandfather. This makes King Charles and Queen Camilla ninth cousins once removed, a relationship that likely wasn’t a major consideration when they decided to marry but certainly adds a layer of intrigue to their union.
It’s not unprecedented for royals to marry within the family. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were first cousins, and their marriage was even encouraged to strengthen political alliances. Similarly, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip were also related, as both shared Queen Victoria as a great-great-grandmother, making them distant cousins. Even more surprisingly, Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Prince and Princess of Wales, are also distantly related. Kate is the 14th cousin of William’s late mother, Princess Diana, making William her 15th cousin once removed.
The fact that these royal family members are all connected through such distant family ties reflects a history of strategic marriages that have kept royal bloodlines strong. But it also raises an interesting question about the nature of family relationships within royal circles.
So, what do you think of the connections between Queen Camilla, Princess Diana, and King Charles? Do these family ties change how you view their relationships? Let us know on our Royal Insider Facebook page—we’d love to hear your thoughts!
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