How Queen Camilla saved herself from a sexual assault: ‘Whacked him in the n**s with my heel’ | Teen train ordeal recounted in new royal book

Queen Camilla has disclosed that she fought off an attempted sexual assault as a teenager, recounting how she used her shoe to strike a man on a train bound for Paddington, according to a new book by former Times royal correspondent Valentine Low. The account, relayed by ex–London mayor Boris Johnson’s then-communications director Guto Harri, places the conversation at Clarence House in 2008 when Johnson was in office. Buckingham Palace has not issued a statement.

Also read: 800 Dead and Counting: Why a 6.0-Magnitude Earthquake in Afghanistan Turned Devastating

Power and the Palace says Camilla told Johnson she was about 16 or 17 when a man moved his hand toward her on the train, prompting her to do “what my mother taught me” by removing her shoe and hitting him in the groin with the heel. On arrival at Paddington, she reported the suspect to a uniformed official and he was arrested, Harri’s account states.

Also read: Minutes Before PM-Putin Meet, US Says Ties With India ‘Defining Relationship Of 21st Century’

Low writes that the exchange occurred as Johnson was pursuing plans to expand support for survivors, including opening rape crisis centres in London. Excerpts published in UK media note Camilla has not previously spoken publicly about the incident; her advocacy on tackling sexual and domestic violence has included backing charities, visiting women’s refuges and rape crisis centres, and supporting survivor-focused initiatives.