Coinciding with a state visit this week by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, President Donald Trump recently learned that he and the royal are distant cousins, linked through a 16th-century Scottish nobleman, according to genealogical research reported by royal biographer Robert Hardman.
The research found that both men share a common ancestor in the 3rd Earl of Lennox, a great-grandson of King James II of Scotland, making them 15th cousins. The lineage extends through Lord Darnley, the husband of Mary, Queen of Scots, whose son became King James I of England, and continues through generations of Scottish families before reaching Trump’s mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, who emigrated to the United States in 1930 and later married Fred Trump.
After learning of the reported connection, Trump reacted on social media, writing, “Wow, that’s nice. I’ve always wanted to live in Buckingham Palace!!! I’ll talk to the King and Queen about this in a few minutes!!!”
The findings, compiled using historical records including land documents and church archives, also link Trump to royal houses in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark through shared ancestry.
This revelation adds to a series of notable discoveries connecting public figures through distant family ties.
Singer Cher recently learned that her son, Elijah Blue Allman, fathered a daughter with Kayti Edwards 15 years ago, linking Cher’s family to that of actress Julie Andrews, who was married to Kayti’s grandfather, the late actor and director Blake Edwards.
In another case, musician Lance Bass discovered he is related to singer Britney Spears.
“Look, I wanted to be related to the Queen,” Bass said, per People magazine. “Well, now I’m related to the queen of pop!” He added that Spears “is like family to me, so the fact that we are blood-related is amazing.”
Actor Tom Hanks was also found to be a sixth cousin of television icon Fred Rogers, whom he portrayed in a 2019 movie, per People magazine.
Reacting to the discovery, Hanks’ wife Rita Wilson said, “No, impossible … you’re pulling our leg,” while Hanks responded, “Listen, it all just comes together, you see.”
Reaching back into history, Hanks is also distantly related to former President Abraham Lincoln, who is his third cousin, four times removed. The familial connection is through Lincoln’s mother, Nancy Hanks Lincoln.
Actor Richard Gere is a distant cousin of former President James Garfield, while Marilyn Monroe was reportedly a ninth cousin, once removed, of former President George H.W. Bush. Actor James Dean was a seventh cousin, once removed, of former President Richard Nixon.
Other genealogical findings have linked a range of public figures, including sister actresses Elle and Dakota Fanning, who are 21st cousins of Catherine, Princess of Wales. Comedian Larry David said that he is “a third cousin, or something” of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. Talk show host Conan O’Brien is reportedly a third cousin of actor Denis Leary, a connection that Leary’s uncle discovered after seeing his nephew on O’Brien’s show in 2009.
Actor Michael Douglas is a distant cousin of Scarlett Johansson, SheKnows reported.
Upon learning of his connection, Douglas said, “Ahh! Are you kidding? That’s amazing. Alright, this is cool. This is so cool.”
Radio and television talk show host Andy Cohen had a similar reaction after finding out during an episode of Finding Your Roots that he is also distantly related to Johansson.
Singer and actress Hilary Duff is reportedly an 18th cousin to the late Queen Elizabeth II, while actress Laura Dern is a 19th cousin, thrice removed, from the queen.
Additional connections include Brad Pitt, who is a ninth cousin of former President Barack Obama, and Madonna, who is a 10th cousin to Hillary Clinton, underscoring how historical family lines can connect seemingly unrelated figures across politics, entertainment, and royalty.
