So, you’ve heard the rumor: that Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Philip, were actually cousins. Yes, it’s true. But before your brain does a dramatic soap-opera spin, take a deep breath. It’s not as weird as it sounds—honestly, it’s more like a really complicated family tree than a royal scandal.
Let’s Start with the Obvious: They Were Third Cousins
Here’s the short version: The Queen and Prince Philip were third cousins. That’s the same level of relation as sharing a great-great-grandparent. In their case, that common great-great-grandparent was Queen Victoria and her husband, Prince Albert.
Think of it this way: Queen Victoria had nine kids, and a few of them went on to have lots of royal babies. One of those kids was King Edward VII (Elizabeth’s great-grandfather). Another was Princess Alice (Philip’s great-grandmother). So, boom: third cousins.
“Third cousin” sounds fancy, but in royal circles, it’s practically a party trick. Most European royalty from the 19th century were connected. It’s like finding out your college roommate’s cousin went to the same summer camp as you—except with tiaras and state banquets.
Wait, Are They Also Second Cousins Once Removed?
Oh, you want to get really tangled? Sure, why not! Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip were also second cousins once removed through another branch of the family tree. This time, the common ancestor was King Christian IX of Denmark.
Let me break it down without making your eyes glaze over: Elizabeth’s grandfather (King George V) and Philip’s grandfather (Prince George of Greece) were first cousins. That means Elizabeth and Philip were second cousins once removed. See? Easy as pie. (Okay, it’s more like pie that’s been dropped on the floor and then reassembled, but you get the idea.)
The point is, royalty loves a good family reunion. In fact, when they were married in 1947, the Archbishop of Canterbury didn’t even bat an eye. Why? Because nearly every British monarch since Queen Victoria has married a cousin—just usually a more distant one.
Why Did Royalty Marry Cousins for Centuries?
Here’s the real joke: marrying cousins wasn’t about love—it was about keeping the crown in the family. Literally. European royals married each other to strengthen alliances and prevent wars. If you married your cousin from Germany, you got a new ally and didn’t have to share power with outsiders.
Queen Elizabeth And Philip Cousins Family Tree | TAFT Independent
Plus, back then, the gene pool was like a small, exclusive club. If you were a prince or princess, your options were limited to other ruling families. Suddenly, marrying your third cousin starts to look like a practical choice. As Queen Victoria herself once said (probably): “Why marry a stranger when you can marry a nephew?”
Now, modern science knows that too much cousin-marrying can cause health issues—think of the Hapsburg jaw or the hemophilia that plagued Victoria’s descendants. But for third cousins? It’s generally safe. The genetic risk is only slightly higher than for any random couple. So no, Philip and Elizabeth’s kids didn’t have extra toes or anything.
The Love Story Part: It Was Still a Genuine Match
Here’s the thing that always makes me smile: despite the family tree gymnastics, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip had a real love story. She was 13 when she first met him at a naval college. He was 18, dashing, and—let’s be honest—devastatingly handsome. She never looked at another man.
They exchanged letters during World War II. He wrote to her, she kept every single one. When she proposed (yes, she had to propose, because royal protocol says a queen can’t be proposed to), he said yes. And they stayed married for 73 years—through wars, scandals, and the occasional awkward family dinner.
So, were they cousins? Sure. But they were also partners, best friends, and the longest-married royal couple in British history. It’s not incest; it’s a very exclusive dating pool.
Are Queen Elizabeth And Prince Philip Cousins Family Tree at Monica
Let’s Zoom Out: Other Royals Did This Too
If you’re still feeling squicked out, consider this: Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were first cousins. King George V and Queen Mary were second cousins. Even the current King, Charles, is a distant cousin of his wife, Camilla (through common ancestry, not—you know—marriage).
In fact, almost every European monarch from 1800 to 1914 married a first or second cousin. It was the norm. So when someone says “Elizabeth and Philip were cousins,” you can shrug and say, “Yeah, and water is wet. Also, they were adorable.”
The Uplifting Conclusion: Love Conquers the Family Tree
Here’s the takeaway: Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip were cousins, yes—but they were also a power couple. Their love wasn’t diminished by a shared great-great-grandmother. If anything, their connection was built on generations of history, duty, and—dare I say—a little bit of destiny.
Think about it: two people, born from the same royal roots, found each other across continents and decades. They built a life, a family, and a legacy that spanned seven decades. That’s not weird. That’s beautiful.
And let’s be real: if you look back at your own family tree, you’ll probably find a few cousins marrying cousins. Maybe not in your immediate family, but in the 1800s? It was common everywhere. So, put down the pitchfork and raise a glass of tea instead. The Queen and her Prince were just following an old tradition—and they made it look royally good.
So next time someone brings up the cousin thing, just smile and say: “They were third cousins. And they were the love story of the century.” Now that’s a family reunion I’d actually want to attend.
