Prince William Gets Engaged

How deeply ironic that four days after the death of Bill Reitwiesner, Prince William of Wales announced his engagement to Kate Middleton.  Bill and Gary Boyd Roberts literally wrote the book on the ancestry of Diana Spencer, Prince William's mother almost 30 years ago when her marriage was announced.  Of course, this current romance has been brewing for a while and it's no surprise that Bill had Kate Middleton's ancestry already online.  So when you next see some Ancestry person note the relationship of Kate and anyone or Diana and anyone, remember it's Bill's (and Gary's) work first, despite the fact you won't see their names given credit.

I will probably not live long enough to see King William V, but on that day, he will be the first British monarch in 300 years to be a descendant of Charles II and James II (the last being Queen Anne who died in 1714).  He will also be the first British monarch descended from George III who will be eligible for membership in the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR).  So, there's a historical twist.  Lastly, it seems Kate may descend from Sir Francis Knollys and Catherine Carey.  Catherine's mother was Mary Boleyn, the sister of Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII's second wife and mother of Elizabeth I.  Catherine's paternity has long been in dispute and she may be the illegitimate daughter of Henry VIII, which would add his blood back into the royal family. [the late Queen Mother may have been descended from this couple as well, and if so, then the current Queen would also be Henry VIII's descendant.]  Kate's closest royal ancestor is Edward III, the same as mine.  Of course, someday she will be Queen Consort.

Comments

[John]

At least the initial reports (albeit not from Ancestry) are quoting GBR and the NEHGS.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2010/11/prince_williams.html

[Martin Hollick]

Hooray. Still sad that Bill isnt here to see it.