Does Benedict Cumberbatch have a royal lineage? A genealogist discovered that he is a descendant of King Richard III. "The Imitation Game" actor, meanwhile, welcomed the New Year with an award.

According to Leicester Mercury, Professor Kevin Schurer, a genealogist from the University of Leicester, has tracked down the descendants of King Richard III and "now uncovered a link between Cumberbatch and the king - and shown them to be third cousins, 16 times removed."

That's not as surprising considering that between 1 million to 17 million in the UK are related to the former monarch, said the publication, but the link between "The Imitation Game" cast Benedict Cumberbatch and King Richard III is more direct.

"He is more direct because he is a third cousin. Most other relatives would be much lower order cousins. I think the Queen would be a third cousin several times removed as well," the professor said.

Bob Cumberbatch, the family's genealogist, said that Benedict Cumberbatch has a connection to Alan Turing, whose biopic will come to the big screen through "The Imitation Game," as well.

"Miriam Silverman, of Ancestry UK, discovered a connection between Benedict and Alan Turing and now the Leicester team have extended this to reveal a connection to Richard III," he said.

But it's one thing to say that the British actor is related to Richard III or the monarch's great, great grandfather, Edward III, but finding documentary evidence to support the claim is a much harder task.

Aside from that news, Benedict Cumberbatch-who recently engaged to Sophie Hunter-also received a bit of feather in his cap as "The Imitation Game" won Best Picture at the Capri Hollywood International Film Festival in Italy, said Radio Times.

Benedict Cumberbatch would also be proud of Morten Tyldum who won as Best Director for "The Imitation Game."