The Queen has shared her "solidarity, sorrow and sympathy" for the survivors of domestic and sexual abuse, telling them "you are not alone".
In a powerful speech to guests at a Women of the World reception to mark International Women's Day, Camilla cited the devastating stories of French rape survivor Gisele Pelicot and Amy Hunt, whose mother Carol and sisters Louise and Hannah were murdered by Louise's former partner in 2024.
"To every survivor of every kind of violence, many of whom have not been able to tell their stories or who have not been believed, please know that you are not alone," she said. "We stand with you and alongside you, today and every day, in solidarity, sorrow and sympathy. Every woman has a story.
"And these stories must be told. Because when we live in a culture of silence, we empower violence against women and girls."
Addressing guests including actors Dame Helen Mirren, Dame Harriet Walter and Hannah Waddingham, as well as politicians and dozens of survivors of domestic and sexual abuse, the Queen said that boys "should be taught to manage and to express their feelings healthily" in the playground and that in the classroom, "all children must learn what constitutes consent – and what is assault."
And she warned of the need to tackle online misogyny and hatred because "it is in the online space where boys and young men absorb many of the values they will carry through to adulthood."
"I am deeply grateful that, thanks to the work of WOW and many of you in this room, boys and men are increasingly part of the conversation to challenge the status quo, to seek change and to stop harm before it begins," she said.
Although the Queen has campaigned against domestic and sexual abuse for many years, recently sharing her own experience of sexual assault as a young woman, her words are likely to be interpreted as a reference to the Epstein scandal, which her brother-in-law Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been implicated in.
© Getty Images"I think Her Majesty’s speech speaks for itself," said a Buckingham Palace spokesman. Camilla, who is President of Women of the World, was hosting a reception at St James’s Palace to mark 15 years of the organisation. Among the guests was Amy Hunt, who along with her father John, joined the Queen in conversation for a special radio broadcast from Clarence House in December.
Greeting her with a kiss, Amy said: "Thank you for inviting us, it’s such an honour to be here." She said of her father John, a racing commentator who is at Cheltenham this week: "He's very sad that he can't be here."
© Getty ImagesThe Queen wore a navy dress by Fiona Clare, with a red WOW badge and a second badge, also red, which read: "Shame must change sides". It was a gift to her from Gisele Pelicot, who she hosted for tea at Clarence House last month.
Camilla also chatted to The Very Reverend Mina Smallman, whose daughters Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman were murdered by an 18-year-old man in a London park in 2020.
Speaking after the Queen's speech, Penny Lancaster said: "I think what's refreshing is because of Her Majesty's honesty of her own experiences it makes it more powerful and more relatable when you listen to her message. What resonated with me particularly was her message to young boys. I have a 20 year old and 15 year old.
"My husband [Rod Stewart] has always told my boys that a real man will be happy to apologise. Admitting you are wrong isn’t a weakness, it's about showing empathy and respect.
"Women are dealing with sexual assault all of the time but it isn't just a woman's problem. If you are a man walking home late at night and you see a woman walking on her own, do the generous thing and cross to the other side of the road. Be thoughtful. Be mindful."
© Getty ImagesPenny, who is a volunteer special constable, said: "I've had past experience from my own childhood [of assault], I carried that with me for a long time. But going into policing and undertaking the training has given me a lot more confidence. We are getting word out there and men are being educated. Bigger steps need to be taken to protect women but we are getting there.
"Every woman, as the Queen said, has a story or knows a woman who does. A lot of women bury their experiences. But as Her Majesty said, shame must change sides. That's really powerful. I felt my shame all the time but had I felt able to talk about it, it would have been different."
In the Throne Room of St James's Palace, the Queen was introduced to guests including Commonwealth Secretary General Shirley Botchwey, and the actors Dame Helen Mirren, Dame Harriet Walter, Miriam Margolyes and Hannah Waddingham.Dame Helen said: "Hello Your Majesty, lovely to see you, here we are back again."
© Getty ImagesMotioning towards Dame Harriet, she said: "Two actresses together."Greeting Camilla with kisses, Miriam told her: "Hello darling, how are you? Will you tell His Majesty that we love him and we want him to get better and to take no notice of anyone who criticises him, because he's just wonderful."
The Queen laughed and tapped her on the shoulder, saying: "I will bear that in mind."Speaking ahead of the Queen's arrival, Dame Helen said she had earlier explained to her driver that she was going to a reception to mark International Womens' Day."
He said, 'When's International Men's Day then?' and I said, 'Every [explicit] day!' "So yes, we do need an International Women's Day, it's very important."
Dame Harriet said the Queen's support had "lifted" WOW. "Since she's been Queen, it's been more noticed, it's lifted the profile plus it's spread to so many more countries, it's really international. Of course we need it. Women's issues and feminism in general are constantly being slightly overshadowed by other issues and sort of pushed to the corner."
"When you see what's happening in America, it's terrifying," added Dame Helen. "They are literally talking about taking the vote away from women."
The Queen was joined at the reception by the Duchess of Gloucester, who listened to her speech from the side of the stage.
Camilla has supported WOW since its inception in 2010 and became President in 2015. Also on the guestlist were the former Australian Prime Minsiter Julia Gillard, Lady [Cherie] Blair, the author Catherine Mayer, broadcasters Sandi Toksvig and Emma Barnett, presenter Angelica Bell and influencers Ashley James and Alice Living (corr).
Others came from the arts, education and business, as well as organisations working to end violence against women and girls.
Women of the World is an international alliance of partners working towards an equal and inclusive future for women, girls and non-binary people. It runs festivals, events, leadership programmes and promotes knowledge sharing. Since 2010, it has delivered 150 festivals and programmes across six continents.
Events have been held in 71 places, from Australia, Brazil and China to Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Somaliland, inspiring millions to make change.
