When did King Charles meet Camilla? Date they got married - do they have a son named Simon Charles Dorante-Day

Simon Charles Dorante-Day, 55, believes he is the secret love-child of King Charles and Camilla, the Queen Consort - conceived before he married Lady Diana
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Camilla, the Queen Consort has two children Laura Lopes, Tom Parker Bowles from her marriage to Andrew Parker Bowles, and King Charles III has two children, Prince William and Prince Harry, from his marriage to Princess Diana.

However, a British expat now living in Australia appeared on This Morning in April last year claiming to be a secret love child of the royal couple.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Simon Charles Dorante-Day, 56, from Britain, has spent more than ten years campaigning to prove that he is a blue blood and heir to the British throne.

Dorante-Day, 55, believes he is the heir's secret love-child (Picture: Seven)Dorante-Day, 55, believes he is the heir's secret love-child (Picture: Seven)
Dorante-Day, 55, believes he is the heir's secret love-child (Picture: Seven)

For his story to be true, King Charles, 73 and Camilla, the Queen Consort, 75, would need to have conceived Dorante-Day prior to either of their first marriages.

So, when did the royal couple meet and why does Dorante-Day believe he is their son? This is what you need to know.

Why does Dorante-Day believe he is a Windsor-Mountbatten?

Dorante-Day told Philip Schofield and Holly Willoughby on ITV’s This Morning on 29 April 202 that he began speculation about his real parents being the heir to the throne in 1994, soon after the birth of his first son.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

His adoptive grandparents had worked for the royal household at the time of his birth and he claims his adoptive grandmother told him he was the son of King Charles and Camilla.

Dorante-Day believes his adoptive parents were entrusted to keep him by the royals and that he even had an encounter with King Charles and Camilla at a Royal Naval Officer’s home in Portsmouth, at around the age of five or six.

Prince Charles (left) talking to his father, the Duke of Edinburgh, in front of a fireplace at Sandringham, Scotland, 1969. (Photo by Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)Prince Charles (left) talking to his father, the Duke of Edinburgh, in front of a fireplace at Sandringham, Scotland, 1969. (Photo by Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Prince Charles (left) talking to his father, the Duke of Edinburgh, in front of a fireplace at Sandringham, Scotland, 1969. (Photo by Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

This encounter would therefore have been around 1972, when King Charles had just joined the Royal Navy.

He also claims his grandfather has awards granted to him by the Queen, however these cannot be found on any records.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Dorante-Day further claims his eye colour was altered from blue using a risky optical surgery, in order to stop speculation around who his parents were.

If it was to be proven that he is their love child, he would be the heir to the British throne.

Prince Charles standing next to a Chipmunk training aircraft during one of his flying lessons, August 1969. (Photo by Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)Prince Charles standing next to a Chipmunk training aircraft during one of his flying lessons, August 1969. (Photo by Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Prince Charles standing next to a Chipmunk training aircraft during one of his flying lessons, August 1969. (Photo by Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Neither King Charles nor Camilla have ever commented on the speculation.

Dorante-Day now wants a DNA test to prove he is their child, he also made an official claim to the Metropolitan police.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

His case is to appear in court, having already been thrown out once.

When did King Charles and Camilla meet?

The senior royals have known one another for five-decades, reportedly having met for the first time at a Polo match at Windsor Castle in 1970.

However, this has been disputed by their official biographer, Gyles Brandreth, who states they first met at their mutual friend Lucia Santa Cruz’s house in 1971.

Lady Diana Spencer and Camilla Parker-Bowles at Ludlow Races where Prince Charles is competing, 1980. (Photo by Express Newspapers/Archive Photos) Lady Diana Spencer and Camilla Parker-Bowles at Ludlow Races where Prince Charles is competing, 1980. (Photo by Express Newspapers/Archive Photos)
Lady Diana Spencer and Camilla Parker-Bowles at Ludlow Races where Prince Charles is competing, 1980. (Photo by Express Newspapers/Archive Photos)

They began a secret romance - though members of their social circle were aware of their relationship - and the couple would often attend polo matches together at Smith's Lawn in Windsor Great Park.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

They introduced each other to their families, with Camilla meeting King Charles’ uncle and mentor, Lord Mountbatten, sometime between 1971 and 1973. It was thought that Camilla was King Charles’ first love, but that his Royal Navy service put an abrupt end to their fleeting romance in 1973.

There has also been much speculation that the couple would not have received the royal approval to marry, as King Charles’ grandmother, The Queen Mother, was not keen on Camilla and wanted him to marry a member of the Spencer family.

Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles stand for the British National Anthem as they arrive for the Sandringham Flower Show on the Royal Sandringham Estate July 31, 2002 in Norfolk, England (Photo by Sion Touhig/Getty Images)Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles stand for the British National Anthem as they arrive for the Sandringham Flower Show on the Royal Sandringham Estate July 31, 2002 in Norfolk, England (Photo by Sion Touhig/Getty Images)
Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles stand for the British National Anthem as they arrive for the Sandringham Flower Show on the Royal Sandringham Estate July 31, 2002 in Norfolk, England (Photo by Sion Touhig/Getty Images)

Others suggest Camilla did not want to marry King Charles as she had been having an on-off relationship with British Army lieutenant, Andrew Parker Bowles, since the late 1980s.

Regardless of the reason for the split or whether they met in 1970 or 1971, these apparent first encounters don't align with the 55-year-old’s claims as he was born in 1996 which was far too premature for the King and Queen Consort to be his parents.

When did they first marry their former partners?

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

After King Charles’ departure to the Navy in 1972, Camilla went on to marry Andrew Parker Bowles the following year.

Their marriage would last until 1995 and they welcomed their first son together, Tom, in 1974. King Charles is his god-father. They welcomed a second child, Laura, in 1978.

In 1995, the couple divorced after reportedly living separately for years. In 1996, Camilla’s ex-husband remarried.

Andrew Parker Bowles arrives at All Saints Church, Odiham, Hampshire, England for a Thanksgiving Service for Major Ronald Ferguson March 24, 2003 (Photo by Julian Herbert/Getty Images)Andrew Parker Bowles arrives at All Saints Church, Odiham, Hampshire, England for a Thanksgiving Service for Major Ronald Ferguson March 24, 2003 (Photo by Julian Herbert/Getty Images)
Andrew Parker Bowles arrives at All Saints Church, Odiham, Hampshire, England for a Thanksgiving Service for Major Ronald Ferguson March 24, 2003 (Photo by Julian Herbert/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, King Charles had returned from his naval service and was romantically tied to a few women, including Sarah Spencer, the older sister of Princess Diana.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In 1977, King Charles and Diana met for the first time - she was 16 years old and he was 29.

At the time, he was in a relationship with her sister Sarah, who has since stated she was not in love with the future King.

He also rekindled his friendship with Camilla Parker-Bowles in 1979, confiding in her his grief after the death of Lord Mountbatten in an IRA bombing.

Picture of Lady Diana, Princess of Wales with Prince Charles of Wales at their wedding at St Paul Cathedral in London in this file photo dated 29  July 1981 (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images)Picture of Lady Diana, Princess of Wales with Prince Charles of Wales at their wedding at St Paul Cathedral in London in this file photo dated 29  July 1981 (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images)
Picture of Lady Diana, Princess of Wales with Prince Charles of Wales at their wedding at St Paul Cathedral in London in this file photo dated 29 July 1981 (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images)

He proposed to Diana in February 1981, and they married on April 29, that year.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Diana welcomed Prince William in June 1982 and his younger brother, Prince Harry was born in September 1984.

Did Charles and Camilla have an affair?

Diana famously told an interview after the breakdown of her marriage to King Charles in 1992, that he had been having an affair with Camilla. The pair divorced in 1996.

In an interview with Martin Bashir she responded to the question “Do you think Ms Parker-Bowles was a factor in the breakdown of your marriage” by saying: “Well there were three of us in this marriage so it was a bit crowded.”

Prince Charles (R) and Camilla Parker Bowles (L) leave the Ritz Hotel after a private party to celebrate the success of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II jubilee in central London 14 November 2002. (Photo by NICOLAS ASFOURI/AFP via Getty Images)Prince Charles (R) and Camilla Parker Bowles (L) leave the Ritz Hotel after a private party to celebrate the success of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II jubilee in central London 14 November 2002. (Photo by NICOLAS ASFOURI/AFP via Getty Images)
Prince Charles (R) and Camilla Parker Bowles (L) leave the Ritz Hotel after a private party to celebrate the success of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II jubilee in central London 14 November 2002. (Photo by NICOLAS ASFOURI/AFP via Getty Images)

According to King Charles’s authorised biography, he began an affair with Camilla in 1986, 10 years before his divorce to Diana.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

King Charles later became embroiled in a scandal nicknamed ‘Camillagate’ when private phone calls made in 1989 to her were leaked to the British press. The most explicit content was redacted.

He famously told Jonathon Dimbleby in 1994, while answering a question about whether he was “faithful and honorable” during his marriage to Diana, that “Yes, yes…Until it became irretrievably broken down, us both having tried."

In the same interview, he referred to Camilla as “a great friend of mine”. He added: "She has been a friend for a very long time—and will continue to be a friend for a very long time."

HRH The Prince of Wales and Camilla Parker Bowles at the 2004 Mey Games at Queens Park in Mey on August 7, 2004 in Caithness, Scotland. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)   HRH The Prince of Wales and Camilla Parker Bowles at the 2004 Mey Games at Queens Park in Mey on August 7, 2004 in Caithness, Scotland. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
HRH The Prince of Wales and Camilla Parker Bowles at the 2004 Mey Games at Queens Park in Mey on August 7, 2004 in Caithness, Scotland. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

In 1997, just weeks before Diana was killed in a tragic car accident, King Charles hosted a private 50th Birthday party for Camilla at his home.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In 1998, Camilla and King Charles appeared to go public once again with their relationship. King Charles confirmed she had met William and intended to meet Harry, aged 13. The young princes would have lost their mother less than a year earlier.

However, the Queen did not approve of their adultery and refused to attend Charles’ 50th Birthday party as Camilla was reported to have attended.

When did King Charles and Camilla marry?

The couple moved into Clarence House together in 2003, with the Royal Family making it known that British taxpayer money wouldn’t be used to decorate Camilla’s rooms.

However, they waited until 9 April 2005 to marry. This could have been because it was not until 2002 that the Church of England allowed divorcees to remarry in the church.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

With Charles the future king, and as such would be the head of the church, it would have been unacceptable for his marriage not to be officiated in the church he would preside over.

The Queen did not attend the marriage, however Prince William was best man. The Queen did attend the reception afterwards, though she did not appear in the couple’s official photographs.

Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles arrive for a party at Windsor Castle after announcing their engagement earlier 10 February, 2005 (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles arrive for a party at Windsor Castle after announcing their engagement earlier 10 February, 2005 (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)
Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles arrive for a party at Windsor Castle after announcing their engagement earlier 10 February, 2005 (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)

In order that Princess Diana would remain the only ever Princess of Wales, Camilla was given the title of the Duchess of Cornwall.

Prior to her death, Queen Elizabeth II shared her “sincere wish” for Camilla to one day be known as Queen Consort, and called on the nation to support both Camilla as Queen and the Prince of Wales as King.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Elizabeth II said in the written message: “I would like to express my thanks to you all for your support. I remain eternally grateful for, and humbled by, the loyalty and affection that you continue to give me.

“And when, in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes King, I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support that you have given me; and it is my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service.”