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Queen Camilla makes thinly veiled reference to Epstein scandal in punchy speech

The Queen shared her “solidarity, sorrow and sympathy” for the survivors of home and sexual abuse, telling them “you aren’t alone”.

Queen Camilla, President of Girls of the World (WOW), delivered a punchy speech (Picture: Getty Photographs)

Queen Camilla informed survivors of victims of violence and abuse, “we stand with you” as she delivered punchy speech in reference to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. Sporting a badge that reads ‘Disgrace Should Change Sides’, which French rape survivor Gisèle Pelicot gave to her after they met for tea final month, Her Majesty shared her “solidarity, sorrow and sympathy” for the survivors of home and sexual abuse, telling them “you aren’t alone”.

Her feedback are prone to be seen as a thinly veiled reference to the Epstein case, which implicates her brother-in-law, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. A Buckingham Palace spokesman mentioned: “I feel Her Majesty’s speech speaks for itself.” Camilla, who has lengthy campaigned in opposition to home violence and sexual abuse, has not beforehand commented on the allegations outdoors of official statements launched by the King.

The Queen hosted a Girls of the World reception at Buckingham Palace at present (Picture: Getty Photographs)

Talking to these gathered on the Girls of the World (WOW) reception on Tuesday afternoon, the Queen mentioned: “To each survivor of each sort of violence, a lot of whom haven’t been capable of inform their tales or who haven’t been believed, please know that you’re not alone. We stand with you and alongside you, at present and every single day, in solidarity, sorrow and sympathy.”

As President of WOW, Camilla hosted a reception to mark Worldwide Girls’s Day and the fifteenth 12 months of WOW – a worldwide alliance of companions, working collectively to drive an equal and inclusive future for ladies, ladies and non-binary individuals.

Her speech referenced the devastating tales of Ms Pelicot and Amy Hunt, whose mom Carol and sisters Louise and Hannah have been murdered by Louise’s former associate in 2024.

Camilla hailed Ms Pelicot’s “grace and energy” after she waived her proper to anonymity in a horrific mass-rape case involving her ­ex-husband and 50 different males in a bid to boost consciousness of the horrific crimes in opposition to girls and ladies.

Addressing company together with actors Dame Helen Mirren, Dame Harriet Walter and Hannah Waddingham, in addition to politicians and dozens of survivors of home and sexual abuse, the Queen mentioned that boys “must be taught to handle and to specific their emotions healthily” within the playground and that within the classroom, “all kids should study what constitutes consent – and what’s assault.”

Queen Camilla greets stars at Girls of the World occasion

Queen Camilla delivered a strong speech (Picture: Getty Photographs) The most recent information and gossip from the Royal Household plus chosen affords and competitions Subscribe Invalid electronic mail

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And she or he warned of the necessity to deal with the prevelance of on-line misogyny and hatred as a result of “it’s within the on-line house the place boys and younger males take up most of the values they’ll carry by means of to maturity.”

The Queen, who lately shared her personal expertise of sexual assault as a younger girl, mentioned: “Each girl has a narrative. And these tales should be informed. As a result of after we reside in a tradition of silence, we empower violence in opposition to girls and ladies. It is because of this that, for 15 years, WOW has been sharing girls’s experiences by means of their festivals, inspiring 1000’s of individuals throughout six continents to take motion.”

Camilla used her speech to spotlight startling statistics about violence in opposition to girls and ladies. This contains {that a} girl is murdered by a person each three days within the UK and that 62% of those girls are killed by companions or ex-partners; one in 4 girls have been raped or sexually assaulted and over 70% of girls within the UK say that they’ve been harassed in public.

Queen Camilla invited well-known girls to the reception (Picture: Getty Photographs)

The Queen additionally spoke of the widespread false impression that violence in opposition to girls is “a lady downside”, saying: “That is unjust and unfaithful.”

“It’s “everybody’s downside” and solely by treating it as such can this scourge be eradicated for good,” she mentioned. “It gained’t be straightforward.”

Talking after the Queen’s speech, Penny Lancaster mentioned: “I feel what’s refreshing is due to Her Majesty’s honesty of her personal experiences it makes it extra highly effective and extra relatable whenever you hearken to her message. What resonated with me significantly was her message to younger boys.”

Camilla concluded her speech to rapturous applause, saying: “Allow us to be part of collectively to, in Gisèle Pelicot’s phrases, result in ‘a collective awakening. It’s about training, respect and kindness in direction of others. It’s that easy’.”

Earlier, actress Miriam Margolyes requested the Queen to relay a message to her husband.

She informed Camilla: “Howdy darling, how are you? Will you inform His Majesty that we love him and we would like him to get higher and to take no discover of anybody who criticises him as a result of he’s simply great.”

The Queen, laughing and tapping the actress on the shoulder, replied: “I’ll bear that in thoughts. I’ll strive my finest.”

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