Queen Camilla has lengthy campaigned for victims and survivors of home abuse.
Queen Camilla with Madame Gisele Pelicot throughout an viewers at Clarence Home (Picture: PA)
The Queen hosted rape survivor Gisèle Pelicot at Clarence Home this afternoon. Camilla, a long-standing campaigner on home and sexual violence, stated she was left “speechless” by the account of her ordeal in her new memoir.
Her Majesty beforehand wrote to Ms Pelicot commending her “braveness” and “grace” for waiving her proper to anonymity in a horrific mass-rape case involving her ex-husband and 50 different males. Ms Pelicot, 73, grew to become a worldwide hero and worldwide image within the battle towards sexual violence. The horrors she endured had been extensively publicised throughout a trial that lasted practically 4 months.
Camilla invited Ms Pelicot, 73, to her official London residence as her UK tour selling the guide drew to a detailed and informed her visitor she learn the memoir in simply two days, unable to place it down.
Queen Camilla beforehand wrote to Madame Gisele Pelicot (Picture: PA)
The launch of Hymn to Life: Disgrace Has to Change Sides, was held at London’s Royal Competition Corridor on Friday, with readings given by Hollywood actresses Kate Winslet, Dame Kristin Scott Thomas and Juliet Stevenson.
When the 2 ladies sat down over tea at Clarence Home for a 30-minute assembly, Camilla stated concerning the memoir: “I learn it within the final two days, I could not put it down.
“I’ve met so many survivors of rape and sexual abuse I by no means thought I might be shocked by something any extra, however I used to be shocked at your case – it left me speechless.”
Camilla has been working to lift consciousness of violence towards ladies since 2010, and has beforehand admitted it was a “gritty” topic that many have shied away from, however that she was eager to proceed engaged on the difficulty.
Ms Pelicot’s ex-husband, Dominique Pelicot, was jailed for 20 years for drugging and raping her and permitting different males to rape her whereas she was unconscious, in abuse which lasted practically a decade.
The feminist icon stated disgrace ought to fall on her abusers, not her.
Gisele Pelicot visited the Queen for about 30minutes immediately (Picture: POOL/AFP through Getty Photos)
Fifty males had been discovered responsible of rape or sexual offences after a three-and-a-half-month trial in Avignon, which led to December 2024.
Earlier this month, Ms Pelicot stated she felt “overwhelmed” and “very honoured” to obtain a private letter of assist from the Queen. She added, “though my phrases touched the entire world, I wasn’t anticipating a letter from the Courtroom of England”.
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In her letter, Camilla informed the Frenchwoman that she had “impressed ladies throughout the globe” and “created a strong legacy that can change the narrative round disgrace, without end”.
“Thanks for all that you’ve got executed,” she wrote to Ms Pelicot. “You’re very a lot in my ideas and prayers, and I hope that you’ll now be capable of relaxation and recuperate from this devastating ordeal.”
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