BBC's Who Do You Think You Are genealogists unearthed the fact that Kate Middleton and Chris de Burgh have a family connection, via William Fairfax, a 16th-century nobleman.
In 2017, family researchers uncovered a link between the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, and Irish-British singer Chris de Burgh, most famous for his hit "Lady in Red."
Genealogists at a roadshow for the BBC's ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’ program discovered the distant link between the British royalty and the part-Irish musician.
Experts believe that Michael Middleton, Kate’s father, is related to Edward III through his links to William Fairfax, a 16th-century nobleman.
Edward III’s son, Lionel of Antwerp, married Elizabeth de Burgh, the Countess of Ulster, which is where the connection occurs.
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De Burgh himself was surprised to learn of the connection to Kate Middleton. The singer told The Sunday Times, "I was unaware that there is a distant connection between the de Burgh family and the Middletons.
"There are probably many others also connected to both families. At least that will give us something to talk about should we ever have a cup of tea together."
Despite the connection being distant, Tourism Ireland hopes to capitalize on Kate Middleton’s Irish roots and use them to campaign to draw more visitors to Ireland.
* Originally published in May 2017 and updated in November 2025.
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