M.J. Rose

Issues of royal paternity. It was once the stuff of beheadings and intrigue. Now it lives in the realm of DNA testing in a lab…

 

 

Richard III DNA shows British Royal family may not have royal bloodline

 

The University of Leicester has studied the DNA of Richard III and found that there could be a break in the royal bloodline

 

By Sarah Knapton, Science Editor The Telegraph UK

 

 

“When the body of Richard III was discovered in a car park in Leicester in 2012 archaeologists knew it was a momentous find.

 

But little did they realise that it might expose the skeletons in the cupboard of the British aristocracy, and even call into question the bloodline of the Royal family.

 

In order to prove that the skeleton really was Richard III, scientists needed to take a DNA sample and match it to his descendants.

 

Genetic testing through his maternal DNA proved conclusively that the body was the King. However, when they checked the male line they discovered something odd. The DNA did not match showing that at some point in history an adulterous affair had broken the paternal chain.

 

Although it is impossible to say when the affair happened, if it occurred around the time of Edward III (1312- 1377) it could call into question whether kings like Henry VI, Henry VII and Henry VIII had royal blood, and therefore the right to rule…”

 

For the rest, and a very interesting video segment, click here.

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