Prince William’s family tree links to Jake and Maggie Gyllenhaal
Prince William has been connected to Hollywood siblings Mr Jake Gyllenhaal and Ms Maggie Gyllenhaal after a new report traced the actors’ ancestry to the British royal family through a shared medieval forebear.
Hello Magazine reported that the Gyllenhaal siblings are distant cousins of the Windsors, described as 19th cousins of the late Queen Elizabeth II via a shared ancestor, King Edward III, whose descendants spread across Europe, including Sweden.
The article said the Gyllenhaals’ connection runs through the family’s Swedish noble roots, noting that Jake and Maggie are the children of director Mr Stephen Gyllenhaal, who is the great-grandson of Swedish-American journalist Anders Leonard Gyllenhaal. It added that King Edward III, who reigned from 1327 to 1377, is known for initiating the Hundred Years’ War and establishing the Order of the Garter.
In royal commentary this week, discussion about Prince William’s public role during a turbulent period has also underscored how intensely the Prince of Wales’ profile is watched, even as lighter family-history stories find traction.
While the link is far removed in genealogical terms, the report highlights how royal lineage continues to intersect with prominent families beyond the UK, and how centuries-old ancestry can still fuel fresh conversation around the modern monarchy and its global connections.
