For the first time, Queen Camilla recently discussed a train assault she experienced as a teenager. She is a big supporter of rape, domestic violence and sexual abuse victims.
She talked about her assault on Wednesday, December 31 during a special episode of BBC Radio 4’s Today program. The Queen’s account was first shared in the book, Power and the Palace by Valentine Low, which was released in September of this year.
Queen Camilla says she “did fight back”
Queen Camilla recounted her assault during a discussion with BBC racing commentator John Hunt, whose wife Carol, and daughters Hannah and Louise were murdered with a crossbow and knife in England in July 2024. Louise Hunt’s ex-boyfriend, Kyle Clifford, was charged with the killings and sentenced to life in prison the following March.
John and his surviving daughter, Amy, participated in the UN International 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence at Clarence House. Both joined the Queen on the BBC episode.
She talks about almost forgetting the train attack. “But I remember at the time being so angry,” the BBC clip of the Queen revealed. “Somebody I didn’t know. I was reading my book, and this boy – man – attacked me, and I did fight back.”
The Queen says after disembarking the train, her mother asked why her hair was “standing on end” and questioned her about a missing button on her coat.
“I remember anger, and I was so furious about it, and it sort of lurked for many years. When the subject about domestic abuse came up, and suddenly you hear a story like John and Amy’s, it’s something that I feel very strongly about,” she added.
The book describes the Queen’s assault in more detail. While on a train going to Paddington at about 17 years old, a man touched her inappropriately. She recalled, “I did what my mother taught me to. I took off my shoe and whacked him in the nuts with the heel.” After she arrived in Paddington, the Queen alerted someone in uniform that she was attacked, and he was arrested.
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