At a Glance
- Camilla publicly discusses a 1960s indecent assault
- She uses her platform to spotlight domestic violence
- She praises the Hunt family after July 2024 murders
- Why it matters: Her testimony gives a high-profile voice to survivors of violence and encourages public dialogue
On Wednesday, Queen Camilla spoke publicly for the first time about an indecent assault she endured as a teenager. She recalled fending off a man on a train in the 1960s and said that speaking out was a way to use her royal platform to illuminate the epidemic of violence against women. The comments came amid a group interview with the family of Louise Hunt, who were murdered in July 2024.
Personal Assault and Public Voice
Camilla described the attack in detail. Camilla told the BBC:
> “I was reading my book, and you know, this boy, man, attacked me, and I did fight back.”
She kept the incident quiet for years until hearing other women’s stories. Camilla added:
> “It was furious, but I stayed silent until I heard others.”
She decided to speak because domestic violence has been a taboo subject. Camilla said:
> “If I’ve got a tiny soapbox to stand on, I’d like to stand on it.”
- Teenage, 1960s
- Train to Paddington Station
- Fought back with a shoe
- Mother’s reaction about hair standing on end
Response to the Hunt Family
Camilla praised former racing commentator John Hunt and his daughter Amy. Camilla said:
> “Wherever your family is now, they’d be so proud of you both.”
She highlighted their work fighting domestic violence and expressed admiration for their dedication.
Background and Context
The assault was previously recounted in Power and the Palace, a book by Valentine Low published earlier this year. The book is based on what Camilla told former Prime Minister Boris Johnson when he was mayor of London.
Key Takeaways
- Camilla’s first public statement about a personal assault highlights her commitment to domestic-violence advocacy.
- She used the incident to call attention to the taboo nature of domestic abuse.
- She honored the Hunt family’s legacy and praised their activism.
Camilla’s testimony underscores the importance of survivor voices in addressing violence against women.
