I am an American, and have recently discovered that, on my mother's father's mother's side, (got that?), we're directly descended from British and French monarchs, and this information came as a complete surprise. We've since discovered that we're related to the following:
• Charlemagne
• Egbert
• Alfred the Great
• Duke William I of Aquitaine
• Edward the Confessor
• William the Conqueror
• Eleanor of Aquitaine
• Henry II
• King John
• Henry III
• Edward I
• Emperor Ludwig of Bavaria
• Philippe VI of France
• Jean II Of France
• Charles V of France
• Charles VI of France
• Henry VII
• Henry VIII
• QE2
... among others. I believe we're direct descendents from all of them (i.e., they're all our umpteenth great-grandparents), except QE2 and the Henry's, who are cousins. I imagine there are 10 million other folks on earth who can claim the same heritage, but still, I find all of this fairly mind-boggling!
We've also discovered that on my dad's side we're related to St. Therese (the "Little Flower").
Rest assured, the bloodline has thinned out enough to where there is nothing
saintly or
royal about our current generation!
(I'm not expecting any invitations to Buckingham Palace or the Vatican anytime soon!) 
-Mary
a mere peasant, really