Queen Camilla has broken a silence lasting more than six decades to reveal she was physically assaulted by a man as a teenager while travelling on a train in London.
A Traumatic Journey to Paddington
The 78-year-old Queen Consort shared the deeply personal story during a BBC discussion broadcast on Wednesday, December 31, which focused on the critical issue of violence against women. She described how the attack left her feeling "so angry" at the time, an emotion that has lingered for decades.
"I was reading my book when this boy – man – attacked me, and I did fight back," Her Majesty recounted. The assailant was so forceful during the struggle that he ripped a button from her clothing.
Fighting Back and Seeking Justice
Although Queen Camilla did not confirm specific details from earlier biographical reports during her interview, a book about the Royals first published the incident in September. According to that account, she was approximately 16 or 17 years old at the time and responded to the assault by taking off her shoe and hitting the attacker.
She demonstrated remarkable presence of mind after the ordeal. Upon arriving at Paddington Station, she immediately pointed the man out to an official, leading to his arrest.
Her mother's reaction upon meeting her highlighted the visible signs of the struggle. "I remember getting off the train and my mother looking at me and saying, 'Why is your hair standing on end and why is the button missing from your coat?'" the Queen recalled.
Breaking a Lifelong Silence for a Cause
Queen Camilla explained that she had kept this traumatic experience private for over 60 years, not wishing to overshadow the stories of other survivors. Her decision to finally speak publicly was motivated by hearing the harrowing story of a British father whose wife and two daughters were killed by one of the daughter's former partners.
She expressed a hope that by sharing her own experience, she could help remove the stigma surrounding a topic that remains taboo and encourage more open conversation. The Queen and other members of the Royal family have long been champions for charities and causes supporting victims of domestic and sexual violence.
While the assault was first reported when the biography was serialised, this marks the first time Buckingham Palace has confirmed the incident through the Queen's own words. Her story underscores the pervasive and long-lasting impact of such violence, even on those who appear to be in positions of privilege and security.
