Queen Camilla Reflects on Teen Assault

During a recent episode of BBC Radio 4’s Today on December 31, Queen Camilla opened up about a troubling incident from her teenage years, where she was physically assaulted on a train.

This was her first public discussion of the event, which had been briefly referenced in her book, *Power and Palaces*, authored by a former royal correspondent for The Times of London.

“Someone I didn’t know…I was just trying to read my book, and then this boy attacked me, and I fought back,” she recounted.

Camilla expressed her lingering anger about the experience, saying, “I was furious about it, and it remained hidden for so long.”

She mentioned how she realized something was off when her mother met her and asked about her hair, which was “standing on end.”

The book provided more context, with details from Guto Hari, who had served as communications director for former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. He stated, “She was on the train heading to Paddington at around 16 or 17 years old, and a man kept moving his hand closer to her.”

Hari also recalled Camilla’s reaction: “I did what my mother taught me. I took off my shoes and struck him with my heel.”

When she reached Paddington, she ran off the train and approached an officer, declaring, “That man just attacked me.” Shockingly, it was mentioned that she showed so much self-respect during the situation that she was the one who got arrested.

The attacker has not been identified.

In her conversation, Camilla also highlighted the broader issue of violence against women, sharing the platform with commentator John Hunt, whose family was tragically affected by violence. His daughter Amy joined in this important discussion.

Camilla has been actively involved in raising awareness regarding violence against women and girls.