Queen Camilla recently opened up about a troubling experience from her teenage years: an assault on a train. During an interview on BBC Radio 4’s “Today” program, she described how she “fought back” against a stranger.
“I was reading a book when suddenly a boy, or man, attacked me,” she recalled. “I did fight back.” The memory of that moment stayed with her for years, often resurfacing in her mind. When she returned home, her mother noticed her disheveled hair and a missing button from her coat, hinting at the physical altercation.
Camilla mentioned that the assailant seemed “probably not a great deal older” than she was at the time—a stark contrast to how she perceived him as an “old man.” In the same interview, she discussed the broader issue of violence against women, sharing the platform with John Hunt, who tragically lost his wife and daughters to domestic violence.
The story of Camilla’s attack is part of a larger conversation about the safety of women and girls. According to a recent survey by the Office for National Statistics, nearly 1 in 4 women in the UK have experienced some form of sexual violence since the age of 16. These staggering statistics highlight the importance of raising awareness about such issues.
In a recent book titled “Power and the Palace” by Valentine Low, additional insights into the assault emerged. Camilla had told communications director Guto Harri how she reacted at the time: “I took off my shoe and whacked him in the nuts with the heel.” This quick thinking led her to find someone in uniform at Paddington Station to report the attack, resulting in the arrest of her assailant.
Since becoming Queen in 2022, Camilla has made it her mission to highlight issues surrounding violence against women. Last year, she collaborated with an all-female production team on a documentary aimed at eradicating domestic abuse. Her commitment to this cause reflects a growing societal push to combat such issues and support survivors.
While the details of her experience remain haunting, Queen Camilla’s bravery in sharing her story may encourage others to speak out about their own experiences, fostering a sense of community and support among survivors. Raising awareness is one step towards change, and every voice matters.
