Shropshire Star

Meghan Markle’s royal links to medieval king and 16th century queen of England

The American star can trace family connections to Edward III and Jane Seymour.

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Meghan Markle will become an HRH after marrying Prince Harry (Ian Vogler/Daily Mirror/PA)

Meghan Markle is a descendant of both King Edward III, and King Henry VIII’s third wife Jane Seymour, according to genealogists.

Experts at Ancestry have outlined the American star’s links to royal ancestors which stretch back hundreds of years.

Meghan Markle's links to Edward III (PA)
Meghan Markle’s links to Edward III (PA)

Genealogists at Ancestry.co.uk unearthed a calligraphic chart which they used to prove that Meghan is distantly descended from Lionel of Clarence who was the third son of the medieval King Edward III, who ruled England and was Lord of Ireland from 1327 to 1377.

His reign saw the beginning of the Hundred Years War against France, and he created the Order of the Garter in 1348.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh in their Order of the Garter robes. The Order was founded by Edward III (PA)
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh in their Order of the Garter robes. The Order was founded by Edward III (PA)

Jane Seymour, Henry VIII’s third wife, was Queen of England from 1536 to 1537.

Jane was a second cousin to Isabel Hildyard, Meghan’s 12th great-grandmother, Ancestry.co.uk found.

A composite of three paintings by Hans Holbein, of Henry VIII’s sole male heir Edward, Prince of Wales; Henry VIII; and Queen Jane Seymour (PA)
A composite of three paintings by Hans Holbein, of Henry VIII’s sole male heir Edward, Prince of Wales; Henry VIII; and Queen Jane Seymour (PA)

She died 12 days after giving birth to Henry VIII’s male heir Prince Edward, later Edward VI.

Jane Seymour was said to be the favourite of the king’s six wives and the pair are buried together in the Quire of the royal wedding venue St George’s Chapel.

Russell James, family history and DNA expert at Ancestry.co.uk, said: “With so many notable royal descendants, we’re confident that Meghan is poised to take to her new role with ease and grace.

“The world is clearly watching her every move as she transitions from Hollywood actress to royal duchess.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, London, after the announcement of their engagement (Dominic Lipinksi/PA)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, London, after the announcement of their engagement (Dominic Lipinksi/PA)

Robert Hildyard – the 4th cousin of Meghan’s eighth great-grandmother – was the Gentleman of the Bedchamber for Charles I.

His duties include waiting on the king when he ate in private, helping him to dress, guarding the bedchamber and water closet, and providing companionship.

Ms Markle, who will be the first mixed race person in modern history to marry a senior British royal, has written of her background.

She described how her great-great-great-grandfather went on to create his own identity when freed from slavery.

“Because in 1865 (which is so shatteringly recent), when slavery was abolished in the United States, former slaves had to choose a name. A surname, to be exact,” she wrote.

“Perhaps the closest thing to connecting me to my ever-complex family tree, my longing to know where I come from, and the commonality that links me to my bloodline, is the choice that my great-great-great grandfather made to start anew. He chose the last name Wisdom.”

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