Your Royal Highness the Duchess of Cor nwall,

Firstly, ma’am, I hope this letter finds you in good health, and may I ask for your patience with what I have to say, as I don’t take the step of writing to you in this manner lightly. Neither am I left with much option, as I have tried every other avenue available to me to resolve this issue before your arrival in Queensland for the Commonwealth Games. As you are no doubt aware, I have been trying for some time to find my natural birth parents and, as you are no doubt also aware, I believe you are my mother. I can remember several instances, when I was very young, where I was taken to meet a woman who looks exactly as you did around that time. If I was to describe her to you it would fit your description to a tee. I was taken several times to a house on top of Portsdown Hill, Portsmouth, and left there by my adopted parents, who never came in. There was never any explanation as to who they were or why I was left there. Most significantly, I can remember on another occasion, the same woman carrying me and relating to me her isolation and sadness at being locked away for nine long months. We were alone in the room together and she cried, but I never really understood why. I also remember very clearly when I overheard my adopted grandmother Winifred say to my mother: ‘The visits have to stop. He’s too old, he’ll remember.” I did. When Winifred finally revealed to me that you and Prince Charles were my parents, I didn’t know what to do at first. It took several years to come to terms with the reality of the situation. Since then, I have attempted to find the truth behind my identity and, despite the many obstacles placed in my way, this trail always leads me back to you. I can see that over the years you have endured much and have been much maligned publicly, yet your strength and patience truly demonstrates your character and justifies my action in making this appeal. I am a husband and fatherof-nine and grand-father-of-three children. As a mother and grandmother yourself, I am sure you can relate to my frustration, sadness and torment at not being able to resolve this personal issue. More importantly, I am sure you understand the legal and human right that I have to meet my mother, father and siblings, and can understand me wanting to do so! I ask you, in all good faith, as a mother and grandmother, to have compassion and understanding for my family and personal situation, and come forward to speak out.