Did you know that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex share a surprising connection in their family tree?

Despite growing up in different worlds, Meghan and Harry have more in common than meets the eye.

Genealogy experts have delved into the American actress’s ancestry and made an intriguing discovery – she is actually her husband’s cousin.

However, this connection is through a distant relation dating back to the late 15th century.

One of Meghan’s great-great-great-grandfathers, Ralph Bowes, was an Englishman who served as the High Sheriff in County Durham, England.

He was also the owner of Streetlam Castle and its adjacent property.

Bowes’ granddaughter, Bridget, eventually married John Hussey of Dorking in Surrey.

Their grandson, Christopher Hussey, played a significant role in the development of Nantucket, Massachusetts, becoming one of the ancestors of the Markle family.

Interestingly, other descendants of Ralph Bowes became connected to the Lion Dynasty a couple of centuries later.

Five generations down the line, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, a descendant of Bowes, married the Duke of York, who would later become King George VI.

Their daughter, Elizabeth, ascended to the British throne in 1952, becoming Queen Elizabeth II.

While it may seem astonishing, Harry and Meghan are indeed related to each other.

However, they are separated by 15 generations.