Notable Descendant of Sir Robert Belknap (abt 1330-1401): Diana, Princess of Wales

Notable Descendant of Sir Robert Belknap (abt 1330-1401): Diana, Princess of Wales. Born 1 July 1961 in Sandringham, Norfolk, England, Diana Frances Spencer, daughter of the 8th Earl Spencer, was a royal princess, an international icon, and an object of intense media scrutiny. Her wedding to Charles, Prince of Wales (also a direct descendant of Sir Robert Belknap–but that’s another story) at Saint Paul’s Cathedral in London on 29 July 1981 was televised around the world. She and Charles had two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. As Princess of Wales, Diana undertook royal duties on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II. She was celebrated for her charity work and for her support of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines. Diana remained the object of worldwide media scrutiny during and after her marriage to Prince Charles, which ended in divorce on 28 August 1996. “Lady Di,” as she was affectionately known, was tragically killed in a car crash in a Paris tunnel on 31 August 1997–twenty years ago. Princess Diana is a direct descendant of Sir Robert Belknap through at least 28 well-documented ways, which is in itself quite remarkable. She is 18 generations from Sir Robert Belknap through one lineage; 20 generations from Sir Robert Belknap through 8 different lineages; 21 generations from Sir Robert Belknap through 8 different lineages; and 22 generations from Sir Robert Belknap through 11 different lineages–28 different lines of descent! (Further research might uncover yet more ways in which Princess Diana is a Belknap.) For further information on Diana, see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diana,_Princess_of_Wales

Categorised in: Featured, Sir Robert Belknap Descendants

This post was written by Brent J. Belnap