7 Famous People You Didn’t Know Princess Diana Was Related To
Bias ratings based on AllSides + Ad Fontes Media. Agreement % = sources covering this story. Always read multiple sources and think critically.
Share on XShare on RedditCopy ArticleAdd us as a preferred sourceIt’s nearly 30 years since the tragic death of Diana, Princess of Wales, yet she is still fondly remembered by millions of people the world over.
Diana became famous as much for her humanitarian work as for her fashion and the sad and very public failure of her marriage to Prince Charles (now King Charles). The dramatic circumstances of her death lent a striking full stop to a singular and troubled life. It’s nearly 30 years since the tragic death of Diana, Princess of Wales, yet she is still fondly remembered by millions of people the world over.
Diana became famous as much for her humanitarian work as for her fashion and the sad and very public failure of her marriage to Prince Charles (now King Charles). The dramatic circumstances of her death lent a striking full stop to a singular and troubled life. Diana came from a historic family.
Her father was Edward John Spencer, the 8th Earl Spencer, her mother, Frances Ruth Shand Kydd, was also a member of the British aristocracy. You might be surprised to learn, however, that Diana's family links extended far beyond the regal world, and included actors, politicians, and even the king of rock and roll. Diana came from a historic family.
Her father was Edward John Spencer, the 8th Earl Spencer, her mother, Frances Ruth Shand Kydd, was also a member of the British aristocracy. You might be surprised to learn, however, that Diana's family links extended far beyond the regal world, and included actors, politicians, and even the king of rock and roll. Screen icon Audrey Hepburn was born into a prestigious family.
Her mother was the Dutch noblewoman Baroness Ella van Heemstra. Hepburn's father, Joseph Victor Anthony Ruston, claimed relation to Mary Queen of Scots, through Queen Mary's third husband, James Hepburn (Joseph adopted the name Hepton-Ruston later in life). Mary was 11th great-grandmother to Diana, meaning that the Princess and Audrey Hepburn were distant cousins.
Screen icon Audrey Hepburn was born into a prestigious family. Her mother was the Dutch noblewoman Baroness Ella van Heemstra. Hepburn's father, Joseph Victor Anthony Ruston, claimed relation to Mary Queen of Scots, through Queen Mary's third husband, James Hepburn (Joseph adopted the name Hepton-Ruston later in life).
Mary was 11th great-grandmother to Diana, meaning that the Princess and Audrey Hepburn were distant cousins. Academy Award Winner Humphrey Bogart was one of Hollywood's leading lights during the 1940s and 50s, starring in classics such as The African Queen, The Maltese Falcon, and The Treasure of the Sierra Madre. Bogart and Diana shared common ancestry through pioneer famer, Joseph Morgan.
Morgan's daughter Margaret was distantly related to Frances Shand-Kydd, Diana's mother. Margaret's sister, Martha, was remotely connected to Bogart's mother, Maud Humphrey—an illustrator and suffragette—which made Humphrey and Diana seventh cousins. Academy Award Winner Humphrey Bogart was one of Hollywood's leading lights during the 1940s and 50s, starring in classics such as The African Queen, The Maltese Falcon, and The Treasure of the Sierra Madre.
Bogart and Diana shared common ancestry through pioneer famer, Joseph Morgan. Morgan's daughter Margaret was distantly related to Frances Shand-Kydd, Diana's mother. Margaret's sister, Martha, was remotely connected to Bogart's mother, Maud Humphrey—an illustrator and suffragette—which made Humphrey and Diana seventh cousins.
Born in 1893, Lillian Gish was a celebrated movie actress, best known for her work during the silent movie era. The daughter of actress Mary Robinson McConnell, Lillian starred in several films by the great director D. With the advent of talking pictures, Lillian returned to her first love of theater acting, but did later return to the big screen, earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for Duel in the Sun (1946).
Think About This
What questions does this story raise for you? Talk with your family: Why does this news matter? Who is affected? What might happen next? Is there anything you can do?
- Ask your child: “What do you think scientists discovered about famous people? What part surprised you most?”
- Explore together: Search for “famous people” on NASA Kids’ Club, DK Find Out, or National Geographic Kids for more kid-friendly facts.
- Critical thinking: Science findings can change as more research is done. Ask: “How would scientists test this? What would prove them wrong?”
KiddieDaily is built for families — balanced sources, no agenda, no ads. Always read the original source and think for yourself.
🔍 Want to verify this story? Check it on Google Fact Check Explorer →
More stories: Kid News · Archive · Fact Check