Johnny Depp & Queen Elizabeth II cousins

Johnny Depp believed to be distant cousin of Queen Elizabeth II

HOLLYWOOD royalty for years, Johnny Depp was hailed as a possible distant relative of the current British monarchy, the Sunday Mirror reported.

Ancestry experts said they were able to work a connection which established the "Pirates of the Caribbean" star and Queen Elizabeth II as 20th cousins.

The bloodline was not set in stone, though, with genealogists admitting they were relying upon an unreported but widely known marriage from the 17th-century to link the pair.

After delving into the family background of Depp, who was born in Owensboro, Kentucky in 1963, Dr. Nick Barratt said he was confident in declaring the actor and the queen as relatives.

"I believe the balance of probability is that there is indeed a link between Depp and the royals," he said, but cautioned, "I doubt we'll ever be able to prove it 100 per cent."

Source: news.com.au