OK, I now more about 15th and 16th century Romanian royal families than I ever thought I would.
Vlad II started the Drăculești line. He was Voivode (Prince) of Wallachia between 1436–1442 and 1443–1447. He joined the Order of the Dragon as a way to gain more power. The Latin for Dragon is Draco and Vlad II was also known as Vlad Dracul.
One of his sons was Vlad the Impaler (Tepes in Romanian) also known as Vlad III and as Vlad Dracula as the son of Vlad Dracul.
Another of Vlad II's sons was Vlad the Monk also known as Vlad IV. He had a son called Radu IV, the Great. He had lots of sons who ruled but the important one is: Mircea V, the Shepherd - 1545–1552, 1553–1554, 1558–1559. King Charles III is a descendant of Vlad the Monk who was brother to Vlad the Impaler.
I think this picture helps. It is one of the above lists but with Vlad II's line highlighted in yellow and Vlad III's line highlighted in either blue or green. The blue section shows King Charles III's ancestors. Green is for other Wallachian royals who are not related to Charles.
So it seems that Charles III is descended from the brother of "Dracula" and not Dracula himself.
OK, I now more about 15th and 16th century Romanian royal families than I ever thought I would.
Vlad II started the Drăculești line. He was Voivode (Prince) of Wallachia between 1436–1442 and 1443–1447. He joined the Order of the Dragon as a way to gain more power. The Latin for Dragon is Draco and Vlad II was also known as Vlad Dracul.
One of his sons was Vlad the Impaler (Tepes in Romanian) also known as Vlad III and as Vlad Dracula as the son of Vlad Dracul.
Another of Vlad II's sons was Vlad the Monk also known as Vlad IV. He had a son called Radu IV, the Great. He had lots of sons who ruled but the important one is: Mircea V, the Shepherd - 1545–1552, 1553–1554, 1558–1559. King Charles III is a descendant of Vlad the Monk who was brother to Vlad the Impaler.
I think this picture helps. It is one of the above lists but with Vlad II's line highlighted in yellow and Vlad III's line highlighted in either blue or green. The blue section shows King Charles III's ancestors. Green is for other Wallachian royals who are not related to Charles.
So it seems that Charles III is descended from the brother of "Dracula" and not Dracula himself.
That's great. Thanks.
So he isn't a direct descent. Got it.