Mary Boleyn's links to the Queen and Prince William and Prince Harry

Historian Claire Ridgway, who has written several books on the Boleyns, is often asked about Mary Boleyn's links to the present royal family, so she thought she'd explain more about it.

Queen Elizabeth II descends from Mary Boleyn, and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, descend from her in two different ways.

Find out more from Claire.

[theresecatalano]

So the Boleyn’s have the last laugh. 😏

[monicacall]

Isn’t it interesting that Mary, the Boleyn who was overlooked at the time turned out to be the individual who has had such an enormous, famous and diverse posterity? She wasn’t the queen or a member of the king’s inner circle although she was Henry’s mistress, but that didn’t carry the same kind of prestige as queen, member of the the king’s privy chamber or member of the king’s privy council (dad and Uncle Norfolk). She further kept herself out of the whole court and family scene by marrying a poor knight who was beneath her socially but whom she loved (not cool in those days of dynastic marriages). What a shame that she died young! I hope that there is a way for her to know that her life was not in vain.

[jkernssr]

My name is John Kerns. Mary Boleyn is my 12th great grandmother, through Henry Carey, Anna Carey, George Cleeves (founder of Portland Maine), Elizabeth Cleeves, Elizabeth Mitten, Isaac Clarke, Matheus Clarke, Mary Clarke, Nathan Hill, Amasa Hill, Loring Hill, Louella Hill, and Mary Elsie Hixson, my mother, who married John Levi Kerns.
I enjoy very much your videos about the Boelyns, and have learned a great deal from you. Thank you very much for your expertise and information. 0:22

[christosliakis]

Personally I do find it nice that Boleyn blood was meant to sit on the English throne, but I also find the situation deliciously ironic. Anne Boleyn, the sister who changed history's line was extinct within decades after her death. Mary Boleyn, the obscurely married sister who was exiled from court's line holds the most well known monarchy in history.

And at the same time, Elisabeth's throne that she maintained through diligent use of every ounce of every talent she had in her, ended up in the hands of the blood of the she-wolf Lettice, another exile from court, who dared to lay her hands on the love of Elisabeth's life. I do hope she's not rolling in her grave.

[marijaokic]

History has always been more interesting than fiction.😊

[onkabetsekwili]

I'm actually a biracial South African-Australian-Brit. My dad is Mark Spencer and through him ( he's British-Australian) I am descended from Mary Boleyn's daughter Catherine Carey.
Weirdly, through my mostly African mom I am descended from Henry Carey through his granddaughter Elizabeth Carey. Technically my parents are distant cousins through Mary Boleyn.

[nadiabrook]

Oh wow!! INFORMATIVE!! Looks like the Boleyns got the final revenge against Henry - they have many descendants to this day, including our royal family, while he has NO descendants left!! I'll bet Anne and Mary as well as brother George are doing a jig in the afterlife!! Looking forward to the next video, Claire!! XXXX

[pollydolly]

This was a great walk down the Queen's family history!

[kayjayable]

According to my genealogy research, I am descended from Mary Boleyn. She was my 16th great grandmother. I love your research, videos, and books, all very informative and interesting. Thank you.

[lindac]

Thank you, Claire! This was so fascinating! Thank you also to the many commentators who shared how they are related to the Boleyn's. Although Mary suffered hardships because she was a female, her legacy lives on in the British royal family and in the generations of people who are her descendants.

[NeridaAisbett]

Thank you Claire, I found this extremely interesting. It's great to know that there is Boleyn blood in the Royal family, and that when Prince William sits on the throne there will be a double dose.

[terrenceappleby]

Claire you are the Paul Harvey of things Anne Boleyn and the Tudors. Now we know “the rest of the story/stories.”

[Gancanna]

Family tree research fascinates me. Thank you for this video on Mary Boleyn's connections to Queen Elizabeth II and the Dukes of Cambridge and Sussex!

[jaspersmommy]

Mary Boleyn is my 13th great grandmother. The line goes through Catherine Carey to Anne Knollys. Anne's granddaughter, Joan West emigrated to Massachusetts with her husband, John White, and settled in Salem MA in 1638

[Shane-Flanagan]

Very well done Claire 👍
No easy task to make the family connection over the many generations.
I knew the Queen and Diana were descendants but of course didn't know exactly how. Prince William is not only of Boleyn descent on both sides of the family but also married to a woman of Boleyn descent too, Kate Middleton.
This video is very special and can be viewed over and over again as a reminder of the connections. I really liked the old page style rotating animations. I'm guessing we have Tim to thank for that. It made the video even more fascinating and clear.

[libertybell]

EXCELLENT !!! Thank you very much, dear Claire, informative and impressive!

[janetvargasmas]

I am related through the Morgan family. I just recently found that out doing my ancestry from my birth mother’s family who are Morgan’s from Tredegar. Thank you so much for confirming that my research is right on track. Please keep up the great YouTube videos, I look forward to them so I can bone up on my newly found ancestry and country history. ❤️

[leticiagarcia]

Very informative! I’m glad the Boleyn line flourished and will continue to do so.

I don’t think I have a Boleyn bloodline. I’m a Mestiza. Comanche, French, Spanish and Mexican.

[Lyndell-P]

🇭🇲🦘 Oh Claire! How absolutely wonderful of you to take the time to inform us all of this Tudor/Boleyn link to not only 'our' Queen, Queen Elizabeth II, but also through family lines to the late Princess Diana. ...

Thus through their Grandmother's line, as well as their father, Prince Charles' obvious lines; and also their mother, the late Princess Diana's lineage; both Princes William and Harry are descended to the Tudors and the Boleyns. How extraordinary! ..

Wonderful Video! .. Thank you so much Claire" 💕👑👍

[andersthorson]

Kate Middleton's pedigree would be an interesting topic.