Queen Camilla Meets French Rape Survivor at Clarence House
In a powerful display of royal support for survivors of sexual violence, Queen Camilla has personally met with French rape survivor Gisele Pelicot at Clarence House. During their emotional thirty-minute meeting over tea, the Queen expressed being left "speechless" by the harrowing account detailed in Pelicot's new memoir.
A Story That Shocked Even the Most Experienced Advocate
Queen Camilla, who has met numerous survivors of rape and sexual abuse through her charitable work, told Pelicot: "I never thought I could be shocked by anything any more, but I was shocked at your case - it left me speechless." The Queen revealed she had read the memoir in just two days, unable to put it down despite the difficult subject matter.
The meeting, which took place on Monday, followed correspondence between the two women that began last year when Queen Camilla wrote to the 73-year-old survivor. In that letter, which Pelicot described as leaving her "overwhelmed" and now keeps framed in her office, the Queen praised the French woman's "extraordinary dignity and courage."
Decades of Abuse and a Landmark Legal Case
Gisele Pelicot's story involves nearly two decades of horrific abuse by her ex-husband Dominique Pelicot, who drugged and raped her while also allowing strangers to assault her while she was unconscious. This systematic abuse continued for almost a decade before finally coming to light.
The subsequent legal proceedings resulted in a landmark case that concluded in December 2024 after a three-and-a-half-month trial in Avignon. Dominique Pelicot received a twenty-year prison sentence, while fifty other men were found guilty of rape or sexual offences related to the case.
Breaking the Silence on Sexual Violence
Pelicot has received international acclaim for her courageous decision to waive her right to anonymity as a sexual abuse survivor. She has been vocal in her belief that shame should fall on abusers rather than victims, a perspective that has resonated with advocates worldwide.
Her memoir, titled Hymn to Life: Shame Has to Change Sides, was launched at London's Royal Festival Hall on Friday with readings by prominent Hollywood actresses Kate Winslet, Dame Kristin Scott Thomas, and Juliet Stevenson. The event highlighted the growing movement to change societal attitudes toward sexual violence survivors.
Royal Engagement with Difficult Social Issues
This meeting represents another instance of Queen Camilla's ongoing commitment to addressing sensitive social issues through her royal engagements. By personally meeting with survivors and amplifying their stories, she continues to use her platform to bring attention to the realities of sexual violence and the need for societal change.
The Palace confirmed the meeting in an official statement, noting the importance of such engagements in raising awareness about violence against women and supporting those who have survived traumatic experiences.
