In a powerful and deeply personal revelation, Queen Camilla has disclosed for the first time that she was the victim of an indecent assault as a teenager, an attack she fought off by hitting her assailant in the groin with a shoe.
A Long-Hidden Ordeal Comes to Light
The Queen shared her traumatic experience during a conversation with BBC racing commentator John Hunt and his surviving daughter, Amy. The meeting, held at Clarence House and also involving broadcaster Emma Barnett, was part of a wider discussion on women's safety. Camilla explained she had largely 'forgotten' about her ordeal but felt compelled to speak out after hearing how Mr Hunt's wife, Carol, and two daughters, Hannah and Louise, were murdered with a crossbow in July 2024.
'I remember something that had been lurking in the back of my brain for a very long time,' the Queen said. 'That, when I was a teenager, I was attacked on a train… I remember at the time being so angry.'
The Attack and Its Aftermath
Detailing the incident, Camilla described how her mother immediately knew something was wrong upon her return. '"Why is your hair standing on end and why is the button missing from your coat?" I had been attacked,' she recalled her mother saying. The Queen confirmed the man was arrested following the assault, which took place on a train. Despite this, she admitted to remaining 'very angry' about being targeted.
Her fury resurfaced decades later when the subject of domestic abuse arose, particularly in light of the Hunt family's tragedy. 'When you hear a story like John and Amy’s, it’s something that I feel very strongly about,' she stated.
Speaking Out in Solidarity
The Queen's decision to break her silence underscores her commitment to campaigning against violence towards women. Her ordeal connects to a wider national crisis, highlighted by campaigns like Metro newspaper's 'This Is Not Right' initiative, launched in November 2024 with Women's Aid.
Kyle Clifford, 27, the ex-boyfriend of Louise Hunt, was given a whole life order in March 2025 after pleading guilty to the triple murder and the rape of Louise. By sharing her own story, Queen Camilla aimed to show solidarity with all victims and highlight the pervasive nature of such attacks.
'I was so furious about it,' she said, emphasising the lasting emotional impact. Her revelation transforms a private trauma into a public stand, urging continued conversation and action to protect women's safety across the UK.
