LONDON (AP) — A new book reveals that Britain’s Queen Camilla bravely defended herself from an indecent assault when she was a teenager, using her shoe as a weapon against her attacker. The incident took place during the mid-1960s while she was traveling on a train to London’s Paddington Station. According to an excerpt from "Power and the Palace," written by Valentine Low, a former royal correspondent for the Times of London, the assailant attempted to inappropriately touch Camilla while she was seated next to him.
Camilla recounted the incident to former Prime Minister Boris Johnson during his time as Mayor of London. She stated, “I did what my mother told me, I took my shoe off and whacked him in the nuts with the heel,” as shared by Low in an interview with the BBC. After she arrived at Paddington Station, she reported the assault to a uniformed man, which led to the perpetrator being arrested. This act demonstrated her quick thinking and responsibility in confronting the situation.
The revelation has garnered significant attention from the British media, with headlines varying from the Daily Telegraph’s straightforward “Queen fought off sex attacker” to the Sun’s more sensational “Camilla whacked groper in goolies.” Regardless of the approach, the story is poised to enhance Camilla’s public persona as a determined and grounded member of the royal family, someone who embodies a sense of grit.
The account was shared with Low by one of Johnson’s former aides, who suggested that the experience may have influenced Camilla’s strong advocacy for charities supporting victims of domestic violence. However, Camilla has been hesitant to discuss the details of her attack, as she feels that her ordeal, while distressing, does not compare to the much more serious assaults faced by other women and girls. Low mentioned that Camilla did not want to shift the focus onto herself in a way that would overshadow the experiences of others.
Buckingham Palace has opted not to comment on the details contained in the book. "Power and the Palace" is scheduled for publication later this month, and it has already sparked interest with previously released excerpts indicating that the late Queen Elizabeth II was opposed to the United Kingdom's decision to leave the European Union. This aspect of the book highlights the intricate dynamics between the monarchy and the country's political landscape.
This revelation about Queen Camilla not only sheds light on her personal history but also adds depth to her advocacy work. As an influential figure, her experiences and responses to adversity resonate with the public, further developing her role within the royal family and society at large.
