Queen Camilla Breaks Silence on Teenage Assault

In a powerful guest-hosting appearance on BBC Radio 4’s Today program (December 31, 2025), Queen Camilla shared a deeply personal account of being assaulted as a teenager. By sharing her story, the Queen joined a panel of advocates—including former PM Theresa May—to shine a light on the reality of violence against women.

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The Incident on the Train

The assault took place in the 1960s while the Queen (then Camilla Shand) was a teenager of 16 or 17.

• The Setting: She was traveling alone on a train bound for Paddington Station in London, quietly reading a book.
• The Attack: A male stranger, whom she described as a “boy—man,” approached and physically assaulted her.
• The Defense: Driven by what she described as “furious” anger, the Queen fought back. While the radio interview focused on her emotional response, recent reports indicate she used her stiletto heel as a weapon to defend herself.
• The Resolution: Upon reaching London, she immediately reported the man to a station official. The assailant was subsequently arrested.

A Mother’s Observation

The Queen recalled the visible shock of the encounter when she finally met her mother at the station. Her mother’s immediate questions—“Why is your hair standing on end?” and “Why is a button missing from your coat?”—highlighted the physical toll of the struggle.

The Motivation for Sharing

While the Queen has spent years championing causes for survivors of sexual and domestic violence, she had never publicly shared her own trauma until now. She cited two main reasons for coming forward:

1. Solidarity: She was moved by the bravery of John and Amy Hunt, survivors of a horrific crossbow attack in July 2024, who joined her on the broadcast.
2. Using Her Platform: Camilla expressed that if she has a “soap box” to stand on, she feels a duty to use it to help others feel less alone.

“It’s one of those things that lurks in the back of your brain… I thought if I’ve got a tiny soap box to stand on, I’d like to stand on it.” — Queen Camilla

Continuing Her Advocacy

This revelation marks a turning point in the Queen’s public life, moving from a patron of charities to a survivor speaking from lived experience. She continues to support the Wash Bag Project, which provides dignity to victims during forensic testing, and works closely with the charity SafeLives.