Benedict Cumberbatch has that classic British charisma. The actor has a profound voice and razor-sharp cheekbones, and he maintains himself like a secret duke. And funnily enough, his family tree isn’t too far off from that!
Nope, he’s not a secret royal or about to inherit a crown. But his family history? It’s crammed with enchanting connections, including ties to actual royalty. His ancestors go way back, rubbing shoulders with a few of the most influential folks in history. So, who’s Cumberbatch actually related to? And the way did his ancestors leave their mark on his family’s tale? Let’s dive into his impressive roots.
Benedict Cumberbatch’s Wealthy Family Ties
The Doctor Strange star’s family history dates back to the 1700s. It starts together with his Seventh-great-granddad, Abraham Cumberbatch (a wealthy plantation owner in Barbados). He was also recognized for owning an enormous estate called St. Nicholas Abbey.
Benedict’s great-great-great-grandfather, Abraham Parry Cumberbatch, kept the family fortune rolling a number of generations down. He owned two big estates, Cleland and Lammings, where enslaved people worked. When slavery resulted in 1833, the British government compensated former slave owners, and Abraham Parry pocketed £5,388 (a fairly hefty sum back then), helping the family stay wealthy into the 1800s.
By the point Benedict was born in 1976, the family assets had long vanished. He was raised in a middle-class London home together with his actor parents, Timothy Carlton and Wanda Ventham. While the cash was gone, the family’s connections were still stable. His great-great-grandfather, Robert William Cumberbatch, was a British consul in Turkey and Russia.
His grandfather, Henry Carlton Cumberbatch, served as a respected submarine officer in each World Wars. The Marvel star won’t have inherited wealth, but his family history is awe-inspiring. And the cherry on top? A surprise link to one among England’s most famous kings!
Benedict Cumberbatch Is Also Related To Richard III
Guess what? Benedict Cumberbatch is related to the Fifteenth-century king, King Richard III, who governed from 1483 to 1485! He is known for his epic collapse on the Battle of Bosworth. In accordance with The Guardian, Benedict is Richard’s second cousin. The connection goes back to Richard’s mom, Cecily Neville, meaning their family link stretches over 500 years.
But that’s not where it stops—Benedict also has links to other royals like Queen Elizabeth II and Lady Jane Grey. His family tree is tangled with distinguished historical names, tying him to the Yorkists and the Tudors.
Benedict’s link to Richard III became much more meaningful in 2015 when he was asked to read a poem on the king’s reburial. Richard’s stays were found under a car parking zone in Leicester, and after years of research, he eventually got a correct resting place.
Coincidentally, around that point, Benedict Cumberbatch played Richard III within the BBC series The Hole Crown, bringing the family story full circle. While many Brits can delineate a tie to Richard III, Benedict’s connection is remarkable.
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