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Queen Camilla sends personal letter to rape survivor
Gisèle Pelicot, a French rape survivor who waived her anonymity during a high-profile trial, has revealed she received a private message of support from Queen Camilla, calling it an "overwhelming" honor.
The Queen's message
In the letter, Queen Camilla expressed her "heartfelt admiration" for Pelicot's "courage, grace and dignity" in facing the crimes committed against her. The Queen wrote that Pelicot had "inspired women across the globe" and created a "powerful legacy that will change the narrative around shame forever."
"I very much wanted to write to express my heartfelt admiration for the courage, grace and dignity with which you have faced the horrific crimes committed against you," the Queen said.
"You have inspired women across the globe and created a powerful legacy that will change the narrative around shame, forever."
Queen Camilla
Pelicot's ordeal and trial
Over nearly a decade, Pelicot was repeatedly drugged and raped by her then-husband, who also invited other men he met online to abuse her. She waived her right to anonymity during the 2024 trial in Avignon to shift the "shame" from victims to perpetrators.
During the 15-week trial, supporters gathered daily outside the courthouse, holding signs thanking Pelicot for her bravery and demanding justice. Her case became a global symbol of resilience and feminist advocacy.
Pelicot's reaction to the letter
Speaking to BBC Newsnight's Victoria Derbyshire, the 73-year-old said she was "overwhelmed" and "very honored" to receive the Queen's letter, which she described as unexpected.
"It was an honor for me to receive this letter, I wasn't expecting it at all. I was overwhelmed that the Queen could send me this letter."
Gisèle Pelicot
Pelicot added that while her story had resonated worldwide, she never anticipated a message from the British royal family. "I felt moved and very honored that she had become aware of what had happened to me. I am grateful to her," she said.
Queen Camilla's advocacy
The Queen has long been a campaigner against domestic and sexual violence, working with organizations that support survivors. In her letter, she told Pelicot, "Thank you for all that you have done," adding that she was "very much in my thoughts and prayers."
"I hope that you will now be able to rest and recover from this devastating ordeal," the Queen wrote.
Memoir and interview
The contents of the letter were shared publicly for the first time with Pelicot's permission during her BBC Newsnight interview, ahead of the release of her memoir, A Hymn To Life. The interview is available to watch on YouTube.
