Camilla ‘speechless’ after reading Gisele Pelicot’s memoir
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Queen Camilla said she was left “speechless” after reading French rape survivor Gisele Pelicot’s memoir.
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The 73-year-old author, who has been promoting her book “Hymn to Life: Shame Has to Change Sides”, was invited by the queen to her official residence in London for a private meeting.
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She gained global attention after waiving her right to anonymity during the trial that saw her former husband Dominique Pelicot convicted in December 2024 of committing aggravated rape. He was handed the maximum 20-year sentence.
Drugged and raped
Court heard that she was drugged and raped while unconscious by her then-husband and other men between 2011 and 2020.
Of the 50 other men charged, 49 were found guilty of aggravated rape, attempted rape, or sexual assault. The other was found guilty of having drugged and raped his own wife with Dominique Pelicot.
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On Monday, the pair sat down for tea at Clarence House to discuss her courageous story.
‘Left me speechless’
“I’ve met so many survivors of rape and sexual abuse,” the Queen told Pelicot, the BBC reports. “I never thought I could be shocked by anything anymore, but I was shocked at your case — it left me speechless.”
Pelicot’s partner Jean-Loup Agopian as well as her literary agent and legal team were also in attendance.
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The British royal said she was gripped by the rape survivor’s story. “I read it in the last two days, I couldn’t put it down,” she said, reports The Independent.
The public’s response to her story has given Pelicot “incredible strength,” she said through an interpreter after the visit.
“You have so much support,” the Queen responded.
U.K. book tour began Friday
Pelicot began her book tour on Friday at London’s Royal Festival Hall, which featured readings from Kate Winslet and other actresses.
Camilla said she was aware of the book tour and noted that Pelicot received standing ovations from the sellout audience last week.
Last year, the Queen wrote a letter to Pelicot praising her “extraordinary dignity and courage,” adding she had “inspired women across the globe” and “created a powerful legacy that will change the narrative around shame, forever.”
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