In a deeply personal and unprecedented revelation, Queen Camilla has spoken publicly for the first time about being physically assaulted by a stranger on a train when she was a teenager, an incident she says left her feeling "so angry" and which has "lurked for many years".
A Personal Story of Anger and Resistance
The Queen shared her experience during a poignant interview recorded for BBC Radio 4's Today programme, which also featured former Prime Minister Baroness Theresa May and was chaired by broadcaster Emma Barnett. The discussion, held in the Garden Room at Clarence House, centred on the urgent issue of violence against women.
Queen Camilla recounted the historical attack, stating, "Somebody I didn't know - I was reading my book and this boy, man, attacked me, and I did fight back." She described the immediate aftermath, recalling her mother's confusion upon her return: "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 predominant memory was one of fury. "I remember anger, and I was so furious about it, and it's sort of lurked for many years," she confessed, linking this long-held feeling to the broader national conversation on domestic abuse.
Praise for the Hunt Family's Courage
The Queen's disclosure came as she praised the immense courage of BBC racing commentator John Hunt and his daughter, Amy. Their family was devastated in July 2024 when Louise Hunt, 25, her sister Hannah, 28, and their mother Carol, 61, were murdered in Bushey, Hertfordshire by Louise's ex-partner, Kyle Clifford.
Clifford, aged 27, was later handed three whole life orders for the killings. In response to the tragedy, Mr Hunt and Amy established The Hunt Family Fund to support charities aiding young women.
Addressing John and Amy directly, the Queen offered heartfelt words of support: "I'd just like to say, wherever your family is now, they'd be so proud of you both. And they must be from above smiling down on you... They'd just be so proud of you both."
Moved by the Queen's openness, Amy Hunt responded, "Thank you for sharing that story first, Your Majesty, because that takes a lot to share these things because every woman has a story."
A Call for Early Intervention and Education
Reflecting on the roots of such violence, Queen Camilla emphasised the critical need for early intervention, particularly through the education system. She argued that potential future perpetrators must be reached and taught respect from a young age.
"They may have come from a circle, they may have had parents or relatives who've been abusive or done terrible things to them, and so they're almost brought up to believe that it's a natural thing to do," she said. "If you can get them early enough and teach them respect for women, I think that's so important to get into schools."
John Hunt spoke of the enduring pain of his loss, a year on from the murders. "It remains really difficult on a minute-by-minute basis," he admitted, "but you have to try and find the strength in our position to arm yourself with as many tools as possible that are going to help you get through that next hour, get through that next day." He paid tribute to his daughter Amy, calling her his "best counsel".
This is not the first time details of the assault have emerged; it was previously recounted in Valentine Low's 2024 book, Power And The Palace. The account noted that the Queen once told former London Mayor Boris Johnson in 2008 that she followed her mother's advice during the attack: "I took off my shoe and whacked him in the nuts with the heel." The assailant was reportedly arrested after she sought help at Paddington station.
