Hollywood Actor at King's Reburial

25 March 2015, 10:43 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

Hollywood actor Benedict Cumberbatch is going to read a poem at the reburial of Richard the Third at Leicester Cathedral tomorrow.

Scientists at Leicester Uni have told Capital the Imitation Game star is Richard's second cousin, 16 times removed!

17 Million People With Links To King!

Researchers reckon that between 1 and 17 million people are related to the King in some way in the UK, although not as closely as Benedict.

Professor Kevin Schürer told Capital:

'Benedict is Richard III's second cousin, 16 removed. He is linked in several ways, but in terms of number of generations, the shortest is via Richard's mother, Cecily Neville's grandmother Joan Beaufort.

'He also has more in-direct links to both Queen Elizabeth II and Lady Jane Grey through other ancestors in his tree.

'It is great that Benedict has the opportunity to take part in Thursday's ceremony for his distant relative.

'Having him there will add another dimension to what has already been a momentous week for the University of Leicester as well as the city and county.'