The Queen, 78, shared the experience during a special BBC Radio 4 Today programme discussion broadcast on December 31, focused on violence against women and the lasting impact of abuse.
Camilla told the BBC she had been reading when a stranger attacked her. While she said she had “sort of forgotten about it,” the emotion that returned most sharply was anger. She recalled getting off the train and being met by her mother, who immediately sensed something was wrong, noticing her hair “standing on end” and a button missing from her coat.
“I was reading my book and you know this boy – man – attacked me, and I did fight back.”
She said she did not know the man who attacked her.
“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?'” she told the BBC.
The conversation also included former UK Prime Minister Baroness Theresa May, and broadcaster John Hunt and his daughter Amy. Hunt’s wife, Carol, and daughters Louise and Hannah were killed in July 2024 by Louise’s ex-partner — a case that has since become part of wider calls to confront domestic violence and support victims.
Camilla has long made ending sexual and domestic violence — and improving support for survivors — a central focus of her public work, meeting victims and backing charities that provide crisis services and longer-term help.
While this is the first time the Queen has confirmed the assault in her own words, the incident had been reported previously in extracts from a royal biography serialised in The Times in September 2025 — coverage Buckingham Palace had not confirmed at the time.
According to Reuters, the book account said the incident occurred on a train bound for London’s Paddington Station when Camilla was about 16 or 17. The book included additional details about how she responded and what happened afterwards — specifics Camilla did not confirm during the BBC discussion.
If you need support
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call emergency services.
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Australia: 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) 1800RESPECT
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UK: National Domestic Abuse Helpline (0808 2000 247) Refuge; Rape Crisis support line (0808 500 2222) Rape Crisis England & Wales
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Aotearoa New Zealand: Women’s Refuge (0800 733 843) Womens Refuge; Safe to talk (0800 044 334 or text 4334)
