The pair met at Clarence House where they discussed Pelicot’s just-released memoir titled Hymn To Life: Shame Has To Change Sides.
Over the course of nearly a decade, Pelicot was repeatedly drugged and raped by her then-husband Dominique Pelicot, who also invited men he met online to abuse her as well.
She gained the admiration of the world when she waived her right to anonymity during the 2024 trial of her former husband and other men involved, saying she wanted to make the “shame swap sides” from the victim to the rapist. She was awarded the Legion of Honour in 2025, to acknowledge her bravery.
The Queen has long campaigned against domestic violence and sexual abuse and worked to support survivors.
According to reports, Camilla invited Pelicot to her official residence for today’s meeting and shared that she had been left “speechless” by the account of Pelicot’s ordeal in her new book. “I read it in the last two days, I couldn’t put it down.
“I’ve met so many survivors of rape and sexual abuse I never thought I could be shocked by anything anymore, but I was shocked at your case – it left me speechless.”
During the informal discussion over tea, Pelicot spoke about receiving “incredible strength” from people, and in response, the Queen told her she had “so much support”.
The meeting comes following the revelation Camilla had previously written to the 73-year-old in 2024, commending her “courage” and “grace,” writing: “I very much wanted to write to express my heartfelt admiration for the courage, grace and dignity with which you have faced the horrific crimes committed against you.”
She wrote that Pelicot had “inspired women across the globe” and “created a powerful legacy that will change the narrative around shame, forever.”
Following the trial Dominique Pelicot was jailed for 20 years. Fifty other men were found guilty of rape or sexual offences, receiving sentences ranging from three to 15 years.
