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The love story of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip captivated the world for over seven decades. But beyond their personal connection, a fascinating aspect of their relationship lies in their shared ancestry. How Closely Related Are The Queen And Prince Philip might surprise you, revealing a complex tapestry of European royalty and intertwined family lines that stretch back centuries.
A Family Affair Royal Kinship Explained
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip were, in fact, third cousins. This means they shared great-great-grandparents. Specifically, they were both descendants of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. This connection, while seemingly distant, highlights the relatively small gene pool within European royalty, where intermarriage was common for centuries to consolidate power and maintain alliances. The ramifications of this relatively close kinship were not considered to be a concern in either royal family, and posed no obstacle to their marriage.
To understand their relationship more clearly, consider their lineage traced back to Queen Victoria:
- Queen Victoria was the great-great-grandmother of Queen Elizabeth II.
- Queen Victoria was also the great-grandmother of Prince Philip through his mother, Princess Alice of Battenberg.
Beyond their third cousin link through Queen Victoria, they also share a more distant, yet significant, connection as second cousins once removed. This link comes through King Christian IX of Denmark, who reigned from 1863 to 1906. He was great-grandfather to the Queen, and grandfather to Prince Philip. This complex web of relationships, formed over generations of European royal marriages, solidified their shared heritage and provided a unique backdrop to their enduring partnership.
Here’s a summarized view:
| Relationship | Description |
|---|---|
| Third Cousins | Shared great-great-grandparents (Queen Victoria and Prince Albert) |
| Second Cousins Once Removed | Shared great-great-grandfather of the Queen, and grandfather of Prince Philip (King Christian IX of Denmark) |
For a deeper dive into the detailed family trees and historical records that reveal the intricate connections between Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, consult reputable genealogical resources focused on European royalty. These sources provide comprehensive charts and documented lineages that shed light on the fascinating story of their intertwined ancestry.