My Ancestral Connection to Princess Diana, the People's Princess

Updated: May 15, 2021

After conducting extensive genealogical research, I discovered a direct ancestral connection between myself and Diana, Princess of Wales. My 17th paternal great-grandparents, Richard Wydeville (Woodville), 1st Earl Rivers, and Jacquetta de Luxemburg, Duchess of Bedford, were also Princess Diana’s 18th paternal great-grandparents. This makes the late Princess and me 17th cousins, once removed.

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Discovering Multiple Family Links to Princess Diana

To my surprise, I found that Princess Diana is related to my family not once, but twice—both through my paternal lineage.

My first discovery came through my cousin, Major General Henry Trotter (4th cousin, 5x removed), and his wife, Dame Eva Gifford. Princess Diana and Dame Eva Gifford were 2nd cousins, 3x removed, connecting our families by marriage.

Later, I uncovered another fascinating link through General Ethan Allen, the famous hero of the American Revolutionary War. Princess Diana and General Allen were 2nd cousins, 7x removed. General Allen, my 3rd cousin, 8x removed, was connected to Diana through Nehemiah Allen, who was the father-in-law of my cousin Mercy Burt.

Although there appears to be no direct bloodline between Princess Diana and me in these cases, the shared ancestral connections are remarkable and meaningful to me as a genealogist.

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Reflecting on Princess Diana’s Legacy

Like millions around the world, I have always been captivated by Diana, Princess of Wales. She transformed how the public viewed the British Monarchy, humanizing an institution that had often seemed distant and untouchable.

When Lady Diana Spencer married Prince Charles - another distant cousin of mine, global fascination with the Royal Family surged.

Sadly, as their marriage deteriorated, Diana’s life became relentless tabloid fodder, and her story took on the drama of a real-life soap opera.

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Remembering the Day the World Lost Princess Diana

There is little I can add to the countless words already written about Diana. However, I will never forget the evening of August 31, 1997, when the devastating news broke that Princess Diana had died in a car crash in Paris.

I was driving home from downtown Toronto when I first heard the report on the radio. At first, I thought it had to be a cruel hoax. But as the reports continued, the heartbreaking truth became undeniable—the People’s Princess was gone. The following day, an unusually cold and wet August in Sunday, the death of Diana was the topic of discussion with everyone I met, and each person was equally devastated at what we all viewed as the loss of a loved one of our own. Such was the depth with which Princess Diana had touched each and every one of us.

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A Personal Tribute to a Distant Relative

As I write this, on July 27, 2017, the world is preparing to mark the 20th anniversary of Princess Diana’s passing. The media—newspapers, television, and the internet—are filled with tributes and reflections on her life and legacy.

My goal in sharing this isn’t to follow the crowd, but to pay personal tribute to a distant family member whose compassion, grace, and humanity continue to inspire generations.