Queen Camilla has spoken publicly for the first time about being physically assaulted on a train as a teenager, describing how she was 'so angry' and fought back. In an interview with BBC Radio 4's Today programme, she recounted the incident, saying she was reading a book when a boy or man attacked her. She recalled getting off the train with her hair standing on end and a missing button from her coat, and that the anger had 'lurked for many years'.
The Queen made the comments while praising the courage of racing commentator John Hunt and his daughter Amy, whose wife and daughters were murdered at their home in Bushey, Hertfordshire, in July last year. Louise Hunt, 25, Hannah Hunt, 28, and Carol Hunt, 61, were killed by Kyle Clifford, 27, Louise's ex-partner. Camilla said the Hunts' bravery in speaking out was remarkable and that talking about trauma could be 'cathartic'.
In the interview, guest-edited by former prime minister Theresa May, John Hunt said the family had 'travelled such a long way' since the murders but that it remained difficult on a minute-by-minute basis. Amy Hunt highlighted that domestic violence 'stretches across classes, ages, locations' and criticised tech companies for allowing misogyny and radicalisation of young men to 'run rampant' online.
The Queen, who has made domestic violence a key focus of her public work, said the subject had long been taboo and that she wanted to use her platform to raise awareness. 'If I've got a tiny soap box to stand on I'd like to stand on it,' she said, adding that early intervention with perpetrators could help teach respect for women.
