Yes, General Robert E. Lee was related to Queen Elizabeth II through a shared common ancestor, Colonel Augustine Warner.
The Shared Ancestry of Robert E. Lee and Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth II and Confederate General Robert E. Lee are indeed related. Their familial connection traces back to a prominent early American colonist, Colonel Augustine Warner. This shared ancestry establishes a distant, yet direct, bloodline link between the two historical figures.
Colonel Augustine Warner: The Common Ancestor
Colonel Augustine Warner, who settled in Virginia around 1650, served as a significant figure in the early colonial period. He was a wealthy planter and politician, holding positions such as Speaker of the Virginia House of Burgesses. His descendants played crucial roles in both American and British history.
The specific familial ties are as follows:
- For Queen Elizabeth II: Colonel Augustine Warner was her ninth great-grandfather.
- For General Robert E. Lee: Colonel Augustine Warner was his fourth great-grandfather.
This means they both descend from Colonel Augustine Warner, with Queen Elizabeth II being several generations further removed from the common ancestor than Robert E. Lee.
Tracing the Lineage
The connection can be visualized as a branching family tree stemming from Colonel Augustine Warner. He is a pivotal point in the lineage of both individuals, illustrating the extensive and intertwined nature of historical families across continents.
| Individual | Relationship to Common Ancestor (Col. Augustine Warner) |
|---|---|
| Queen Elizabeth II | Ninth great-granddaughter |
| General Robert E. Lee | Fourth great-grandson |
This type of distant familial connection is common among prominent historical figures, especially those with deep roots in colonial America and European nobility, as intermarriage among influential families was frequent.
The Significance of the Connection
While the relationship is distant, it highlights the interconnectedness of historical lineages. It showcases how families who settled in the American colonies maintained ties, sometimes through many generations, with their European counterparts. This particular link between Queen Elizabeth II and Robert E. Lee is a notable example of such historical familial webs.
