Queen Camilla has spoken publicly about a frightening assault she suffered as a teenager, describing how it left her feeling "so angry" and "furious". The revelation came during a poignant discussion where she also offered heartfelt praise to BBC racing commentator John Hunt and his daughter Amy, following the murder of their family.
A Tribute to Resilience in the Face of Tragedy
The Queen's comments were made during a recording for BBC Radio 4's Today programme, broadcast on New Year's Eve. The discussion, chaired by broadcaster Emma Barnett and also featuring former Prime Minister Theresa May, took place in the Garden Room at Clarence House last month.
Camilla directly addressed John Hunt and his daughter Amy, who have established The Hunt Family Fund in memory of Carol Hunt, 61, Louise Hunt, 25, and Hannah Hunt, 28. The three women were killed in Bushey, Hertfordshire, on 9 July 2024 by Kyle Clifford, Louise's former partner.
"I'd just like to say, wherever your family is now, they'd be so proud of you both," the Queen said. "And they must be from above smiling down on you and thinking, my goodness me, what a wonderful, wonderful father, husband, sister. They'd just be so proud of you both." The fundraising gala for the charity, which supports causes that help young women, was held earlier this month.
The Queen's Personal Story of a Shocking Assault
It was in this context of shared, difficult experiences that the Queen chose to recount her own harrowing incident from her youth. She described being attacked by a stranger while reading a book on a train.
"Somebody I didn't know. I was reading my book, and you know, this boy, man, attacked me, and I did fight back," Camilla recalled. The Queen admitted the memory had "sort of lurked for many years".
She vividly remembered the aftermath, telling the group: "I remember getting off the train and my mother looking at me and saying: 'Why is your hair standing on end?' and: 'Why is a button missing from your coat?'" Her primary emotion, she emphasised, was one of intense anger.
A Moment of Shared Understanding
The Queen's decision to share this personal story clearly resonated deeply with Amy Hunt. After hearing the account, Amy responded with gratitude, acknowledging the courage it took to speak out.
"Thank you for sharing that story first, your majesty, because that takes a lot to share these things because every woman has a story," she said. This exchange underscored the discussion's central theme of resilience and the importance of giving voice to traumatic experiences.
The incident from the Queen's past was first detailed in the book Power And The Palace: The Inside Story Of The Monarchy And 10 Downing Street by former Times royal correspondent Valentine Low. By speaking of it openly, Camilla has highlighted the lasting impact of such violence and aligned herself with the countless women who carry similar memories.
