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Queen Camilla has publicly commended the bravery of BBC racing commentator John Hunt and his family after the tragic loss of his wife, Carol, and two daughters, Louise and Hannah, who were murdered by Louise’s ex-partner. During an emotionally charged conversation with John and his surviving daughter, Amy, the Queen revealed for the first time her own experience of an attempted sexual assault during her teenage years. This discussion took place on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, which was guest-edited by former Prime Minister Baroness Theresa May, focusing on the broader issue of violence against women.
The Queen recounted how the courage displayed by the Hunt family inspired her to break her silence about a personal incident she had “sort of forgotten.” As a teenager, while en route to meet her mother, she was attacked on a train but managed to fight back. Queen Camilla reflected on the lingering memory that had stayed with her for years, describing the moment she got off the train and how her mother noticed damage to her coat and the state of her hair, signaling that something serious had happened. She expressed deep anger about this event and connected it to her strong feelings regarding domestic abuse, especially after hearing John and Amy’s story.
The attempted assault was initially detailed in the book *Power and the Palace* by Valentine Low, the former royal editor of *The Times*. According to the book, Camilla Shand was 16 or 17 years old when a man on a train to Paddington Station touched her inappropriately. She defended herself by striking the man with her shoe heel and subsequently reported the incident to station staff, resulting in his arrest. Buckingham Palace did not issue any official statement when the story surfaced earlier. In response to the Queen’s disclosure, Amy Hunt expressed her gratitude, emphasizing the importance of sharing these types of experiences because “every woman has a story.”
The interview also centered on the Hunt family’s ongoing grief and determination to honor the memories of Carol, Louise, and Hannah. John Hunt described the difficulty of coping with their loss on a minute-by-minute basis and highlighted the importance of finding strength through various support tools. Alongside Queen Camilla and Baroness May, John and Amy stressed the critical role of education in preventing violence against women, particularly with concerns around the online radicalization of young men. Amy noted that social media often allows harmful ideas to spread unchecked, providing misguided role models like Andrew Tate for vulnerable young men seeking direction. Queen Camilla underscored that breaking cycles of abuse requires early intervention, teaching respect for women in schools to deter future generations from becoming perpetrators.
Baroness Theresa May, reflecting on her experience as home secretary and prime minister, connected her ongoing campaign against domestic abuse to these issues. She highlighted how education can counteract the influence of negative online content by providing positive male role models. Queen Camilla, who serves as patron of the domestic abuse charity SafeLives and has supported groups like Refuge, emphasized that domestic violence affects everyone regardless of background. Refuge’s chair, Hettie Barkworth-Nanton, praised the Queen’s openness, stating that by sharing her experience, the Queen helps survivors find their voice without evoking pity.
Despite their profound loss, the Hunt family remains focused on building a positive legacy. Amy Hunt spoke about the joy and happiness that defined their family life before the tragedy, while John described the strength he gained from his daughter’s support. Together, they established The Hunt Family Fund, which aims to support initiatives in domestic violence prevention and causes dear to Carol, Louise, and Hannah, including animal charities that were especially meaningful to Louise. As their conversation concluded, Queen Camilla expressed her admiration and pride for John and Amy, assuring them that their loved ones would be “so proud” and smiling down on the remarkable family they continue to be
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