Queen Camilla 'Speechless' After Reading French Rape Survivor's Memoir
Britain's Queen Camilla said she was left "speechless" after reading the powerful memoir of French rape survivor Gisele Pelicot, during a private meeting at Clarence House in London. The 73-year-old author was invited by the Queen to discuss her book "Hymn to Life: Shame Has to Change Sides" and share her harrowing story of survival.
A Courageous Meeting at Clarence House
On Monday, February 23, 2026, Queen Camilla welcomed Gisele Pelicot to her official London residence for tea and conversation. The Queen told Pelicot, "I've met so many survivors of rape and sexual abuse. I never thought I could be shocked by anything anymore, but I was shocked at your case — it left me speechless." This emotional exchange was reported by the BBC following the private audience.
Pelicot's partner Jean-Loup Agopian, along with her literary agent and legal team, accompanied her to the meeting. The French author gained international attention after waiving her right to anonymity during the trial of her former husband Dominique Pelicot, who was convicted in December 2024 of committing aggravated rape and received the maximum 20-year sentence.
The Horrific Details of the Case
Court proceedings revealed that Gisele Pelicot was drugged and raped while unconscious by her then-husband and other men between 2011 and 2020. The scale of the abuse was staggering:
- Of the 50 other men charged in connection with the case, 49 were found guilty of crimes including aggravated rape, attempted rape, or sexual assault.
- The remaining defendant was convicted of having drugged and raped his own wife with Dominique Pelicot.
Queen Camilla expressed how deeply Pelicot's story affected her, telling the author, "I read it in the last two days, I couldn't put it down." According to The Independent, the British royal was completely gripped by the survivor's narrative.
Public Response and Royal Support
Pelicot's book tour in the United Kingdom began just days before her meeting with Queen Camilla. On Friday, February 20, she appeared at London's Royal Festival Hall where readings were performed by actress Kate Winslet and other performers. The event drew sellout crowds who gave Pelicot standing ovations.
"The public's response to her story has given Pelicot 'incredible strength,'" she said through an interpreter after her visit with the Queen. Camilla responded with encouragement, telling her, "You have so much support."
This wasn't the first time Queen Camilla had reached out to Pelicot. Last year, the royal wrote a letter praising the author's "extraordinary dignity and courage" and noting that she had "inspired women across the globe" and "created a powerful legacy that will change the narrative around shame, forever."
The meeting at Clarence House represents a significant moment in bringing attention to sexual violence survivors' stories and the importance of changing societal attitudes toward shame and victim-blaming. Pelicot's memoir continues to resonate with readers worldwide as she advocates for survivors to reclaim their narratives.
