Queen Camilla Expresses ‘Speechless’ Admiration for French Rape Survivor Gisèle Pelicot
LONDON – Queen Camilla met privately with French rape survivor Gisèle Pelicot on Monday, expressing profound admiration for Pelicot’s memoir and her courage in speaking out against sexual violence. The meeting, held at Clarence House, underscores the British monarchy’s evolving stance on addressing sexual abuse amid ongoing scrutiny related to past scandals.
Pelicot, 73, is currently on a U.K. book tour promoting “A Hymn to Life: Shame Has to Change Sides,” a memoir detailing decades of abuse at the hands of her ex-husband, Dominique Pelicot, and his associates. The book launched Friday at a sold-out event at London’s Royal Festival Hall, featuring readings from actresses Kate Winslet, Kristin Scott Thomas, and Juliet Stevenson. Over 2,000 people attended the launch.
“I couldn’t put it down,” Camilla told Pelicot during their 30-minute conversation, conducted with the aid of an interpreter. “I’ve met so many survivors… I never thought I could be shocked by anything any more, but I was shocked at your case. It left me speechless.”
The queen, a long-time advocate against domestic violence and sexual abuse, reportedly finished the memoir in just two days. She also jokingly remarked that she had studied French 60 years ago but had largely forgotten it, opening the conversation in French nonetheless.
Pelicot’s case gained international attention after she waived her right to anonymity, shifting the blame for the shame onto her abusers. Her ex-husband was sentenced to 20 years in prison for drugging and raping her, and for enabling others to do the same over a nearly ten-year period. A trial in Avignon, concluding in December 2024, resulted in guilty verdicts for 50 men involved in the abuse.
The meeting between Camilla and Pelicot takes place at a sensitive time for the royal family, as it continues to navigate the repercussions of the Andrew-Epstein scandal and broader questions about institutional responses to sexual abuse. Observers note that Camilla’s public embrace of Pelicot signals a commitment to moral clarity on the issue of violence against women.
Pelicot shared that she has found “incredible strength” in the support she has received, to which Camilla responded, “You have so much support.” Camilla had previously written to Pelicot last year, praising her “extraordinary dignity and courage,” a letter Pelicot now keeps framed in her office.
The case highlights the ongoing global struggle against sexual violence. According to UN Women, approximately 1 in 3 women worldwide have experienced physical or sexual violence, mostly by an intimate partner. Pelicot’s story serves as a powerful example of resilience and a call for systemic change in addressing sexual abuse and supporting survivors.