Can you see a resemblance?

It’s not often whispers within the royal world sends shockwaves around the globe – but one ‘love child’ named Simon Doronte-Day did when he claimed he was the secret son of King Charles and Queen Camilla.

If you cast your mind back to 2016, this is when Simon conducted his first interview where he declared to the world he was the secret love child of Camilla, the then Prince of Wales. Speaking to Sunrise, the Australian alleged the duo had welcomed him in 1966 but put him up for adoption.

We take a look at the bizarre story that appeared from almost a decade ago, and ask where Simon is now – what happened to King Charles’ and Queen Camilla’s ‘secret son’?
Simon Dorante-Day says he is the secret son of Queen Camilla and King Charles (Credit: Sunrise)

Who is Simon Doronte-Day?

Simon lives in Australia and has long claimed to be the love child of King Charles and Queen Camilla. He says he was adopted as a baby at eight months old in England and moved to Australia as a child.

But before moving abroad he says he can remember meeting with a wealthy couple who he believes were his parents. He also claims his adoptive grandparents worked for the royal family.

Simon is convinced his parents are the current king and queen of Britain, and that Camilla gave him up to adoption as she’d have been just a teenager at the time of Simon’s birth. His allegations would mean Camilla would have been 18 and Charles 17 years old at the time.

He also believed his eyes were chemically changed from blue to brown and that his teeth were deliberately ground down to change his appearance.
Charles and Camilla met in 1971 (Credit: Cover Images)

Simon Doronte-Day claims he is King Charles and Queen Camilla’s secret son

The Australian has claimed for several years he is the son of Charles and Camilla, and says he has had requests for a DNA test rejected.

He said his grandmother, who he claims worked for the late Queen Elizabeth II, told him he was Charles and Camilla’s love child while on her deathbed.

Ahead of the royals’ 2024 tour of Australia and Samoa he claimed he planned to take them to court for a DNA test. However, nothing came of it.

There were reports the king and queen’s security were on ‘high alert’ after his comments. They claimed he was put on a ‘watchlist’ by a protection expert after making a public stir.

‘Evidence’ he is a royal love child

In a bid to prove he was the love child of Charles and Camilla, the then 55-year-old posted a photo of himself next to Prince William in 2021. He claims the similarities between the two men were ‘uncanny’.

At the end of December 2023, he further claimed a private investigator knocked at his door in the early hours. The woman told Simon she was the ‘secret daughter of Prince Philip’ and wanted his DNA to prove they were related to each other. But he says it was a scam to get his DNA illegally.

In 2024, he made another attempt to reinforce his claim by sharing a photo of his daughter Merian. He has posted a lot of what he believes is ‘proof’ his tale isn’t fiction.

Simon also wrote on social media: “My adopted mother Karen told me herself in 1998 that my eyes ‘changed’ from blue to brown when I was eight years old and when I asked her to confirm the year, she stated in 1974.

“She also told my wife, Dr Elvianna, on several occasions my eyes were blue, and the first time was following the birth of our first son Simon Jr. in 1994.”

He added: “I know it happened – It’s not something you forget, the pain, the irritation, my eyes were so red and swollen for 6 months.”

However, Simon told 7News that he hoped his supporters go beyond just comparing photos.

The dad-of-nine said: “Supporters and visitors to my Facebook pages are always sending me comparisons.

“But it’s important for people to know that my belief that Charles and Camilla are my parents isn’t based on photos.

“I have a lot of research that backs up my claims, a lot of evidence.

“And I want people to remember that my case has spent a long time in the courts, trying to find a resolution, and my legal battles are still continuing.”
Simon Dorante-Day and his wife (Credit: Channel Seven)

‘Bond’ with Prince Harry

After the rift between Prince Harry and the royal family erupted beyond repair over the past few years, Simon came out to support the Duke of Sussex.

In March 2025, he said the two had a ‘bond’ because they were the “black sheep of the royal family”.

He told Channel Seven: “I believe Harry would be receptive to my plight. He has a bone to pick with Charles. Just like I do.”

Simon also wants to meet his wife, the Duchess of Sussex, claiming his wife shares similarities with Meghan Markle.

“When people say he looks very nervous and jumpy, I understand where Harry is coming from with that,” he added. “I can tell that he’s worried about someone attacking Meghan and saying something that will force her to react. My wife is the same, so I can relate.”

Simon gave Harry some sound advice as well: “Harry is to let her go, to let Meghan say what she wants to say. People have been racist and insensitive to Meghan, she should give it back to critics without people looking down on her … People are so ignorant.”
Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla have children from different former partners (Credit: SplashNews)

Problems with the theory he’s Charles and Camilla’s son

Simon claims the couple were teenagers when they had their illegitimate son, but official records show the king and queen didn’t meet until 1971. Camilla was 23 and the then Prince of Wales was 22, meaning these dates don’t add up.

The duo couldn’t have had a child as they wouldn’t meet until years later.

Buckingham Palace and Clarence House has never responded to Simon’s claims.

Where he is now? Simon says he is still fighting two cases in the Supreme Court of Queensland, representing himself. They are unrelated to a DNA test request, but he says he wasn’t put on any ‘watchlist’ during the couple’s royal tour. He is still fighting to prove his belief he is related to the royals.