Prince Harry and Meghan Markle News: Are They Cousins?
Despite having well-established roots in different countries, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may turn out to be cousins, after all — that is, if one was willing to trace as far back as the 15th Century.
At first glance, it seems that the two are worlds apart in terms of lineage. Prince Harry has extensively documented roots in London as a far claimant to the British throne. "Suits" star Meghan Markle, on the other hand, is as native-Californian as one can get, as Elle points out.
A trace of their family trees done by the Daily Mail, however, claims that the couple could have shared a royal-related ancestor at one point, as far back as the 15th Century. Their families could be traced back to an ancestor of the Queen Mother in that bygone era, which makes the two cousins very far removed.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
It also turns out that Markle has ancestry going back to the Royal Family, too, if the genealogical study is to be believed. Her ancestor, in this case, happens to be the High Sheriff of County Durham Ralph Bowes, about 15 generations ago.
Bowes lived from 1480 to 1518 and had a family seat in the Streatlam Castle, according to Metro. It was through his grandchildren, Sir George Bowes on Prince Harry's side and Bridget Bowes on Meghan Markle's side, that the two can be considered cousins.
Bridget Bowes married John Hussey of Dorking, Surrey, and they eventually had a grandson in Christopher Hussey. The adventurous man eventually moved to America in 1632 and even lent a hand to founding Nantucket, Massachusetts.
It will be through his line that Thomas Wayne Markle would have his daughter, Rachel Meghan Markle.
As for Prince Harry, it's a well-documented line from Sir George Bowes to Her Majesty the Queen, his grandmother. The whole thing makes him and Meghan cousins to the 15th degree.
