Kate discovers her blue-blooded ancestors
18 Dec 2012 5:01 AM IST
Much has been made of Kate Middleton’s ‘humble roots’ since her marriage to Prince William, but a new research has claimed that she is related to nobility and has a feted prime minister among her family tree. New research by an Australian history teacher has claimed that she is related to one of Britain’s grandest families and can count a prime minister, earls and countesses among her kin.
The news has been welcomed by 30-year-old Kate, who was informed of her aristocratic heritage during the first few weeks of her pregnancy, The Telegraph reported. Since the Duchess married into the Royal family, much has been made of her ‘humble’ roots, with coal miners, a road sweeper and even a prisoner among her ancestors. The previously unpublished side of the Duchess’ family tree has uncovered her link to William Petty FitzMaurice, the 1st Marquess of Lansdowne, who served as prime minister from 1782 to 1783 and is best remembered by historians for negotiating the end of the American War of Independence.
His link to the Duchess was discovered by Michael Reed, a history teacher from Melbourne.
The news has been welcomed by 30-year-old Kate, who was informed of her aristocratic heritage during the first few weeks of her pregnancy, The Telegraph reported. Since the Duchess married into the Royal family, much has been made of her ‘humble’ roots, with coal miners, a road sweeper and even a prisoner among her ancestors. The previously unpublished side of the Duchess’ family tree has uncovered her link to William Petty FitzMaurice, the 1st Marquess of Lansdowne, who served as prime minister from 1782 to 1783 and is best remembered by historians for negotiating the end of the American War of Independence.
His link to the Duchess was discovered by Michael Reed, a history teacher from Melbourne.
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