If there was ever the possibility that one of your ancestors might have been king or queen, a group of historians would like to talk to you and find out more.

A worldwide search has been launched to find the rightful heir to the English throne.

English Heritage - a government body - have placed an advertisement in newspapers around the world to track down ancestors of those who might have sat in the throne, had William the Conqueror not claimed the crown from King Harold in 1066.

Historians believe a rightful English heir may have been crowned king or queen, had Duke William of Normandy not won the legendary battle of Hastings, which subsequently saw him being crowned as king.

The ad reads, "Might your ancestors have claimed the throne? Then we would like to hear from you."

The group wants to hear from any contenders who can trace their family tree back to 1066, especially people with links to historic figures like Edward the Confessor, Edgar the Atheling and King Harold.

English Heritage spokesperson, Dr. Tracy Borman, said, "We are looking at what could have happened if King Harold hadn't been killed by an arrow in the eye."

However, Borman pointed out that Queen Elizabeth has nothing to worry about should the true heir be found, as "the crown has not just been hereditary."

English Heritage are hoping to unveil the new 'monarch' at its $3 million visitor center, set to open on the site of the Battle of Hastings in

February.