The story of Hitler’s secret lovechild has divided historians for decades. Jean-Marie died in 1985, aged 67, but two months ago, in Paris’s Le Point magazine, his lawyer, Francois Gibault, revealed compelling evidence to support his claims.

Tests prove Jean-Marie had the same blood type as Hitler and similar handwriting. Hitler had no official children and never acknowledged or met Jean-Marie. But German army papers show that officers took envelopes of cash to Charlotte during the Second World War. When she died, Jean-Marie found paintings in her attic signed by Hitler, while in Germany a picture of a woman painted by Hitler looked exactly like Charlotte.

Most striking of all, however, was the astonishing resemblance… a resemblance that Philippe undoubtedly shares. It is there in the familiar dimpled chin, the square jaw and piercing eyes. Philippe insists he is not proud of his apparent link to Hitler, but admits he is not unhappy about it either.