Royal author Valentine Low has claimed Buckingham Palace moved to quietly brief journalists over a sensitive passage in his new book, Power and the Palace, because it “impinged on Camilla personally” and needed to be handled carefully, marking a U-turn with their usual policy.
The passage in question described how Queen Camilla, then a teenager, fought off an attempted assault on a train to Paddington.
She told Boris Johnson about the ordeal during his early days as Mayor of London, according to his former aide Guto Harri.
Speaking exclusively to GB News, Mr Low said: “I think it’s because it impinged on Camilla personally, and it’s a very sensitive subject, and they wanted to make sure it was handled with some sensitivity.”
Buckingham Palace U-turn followed ‘sensitive’ Queen Camilla passage
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In the book, Mr Harri recalls Camilla saying that as a 16 or 17-year-old, she noticed a man’s hand moving towards her on a journey.
She responded by taking off her shoe and striking him. When the train reached the station, she sought out a uniformed official and reported the man, who was subsequently arrested.
Mr Low told the People's Channel that while much attention has focused on the dramatic detail of Camilla hitting her attacker with a shoe, the more significant element was what she did next.
“In a way, one of the most significant things about that bit is, obviously, we’re all paying attention to the whacking with the shoe.
Queen Camilla married King Charles in 2005 and became the Queen in 2022 | REUTERS
“But what’s incredibly significant is the fact that when she gets to the station, she finds a man in uniform, and the man is arrested.
“So it shows presence of mind, strength of character and civic responsibility,” he said.
Buckingham Palace refuses to comment publicly on books. But aides did indicate to GB News that Camilla was not a victim in fighting off her attacker, marking a U-turn with their official policy.
The story emerged in the context of a meeting between Boris Johnson and Camilla at Clarence House in 2008.
Queen Camilla is Queen following decades of negative publicity
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Queen Camilla and Boris Johnson were known to have a close friendship | GETTYThe then Duchess of Cornwall had asked to meet the new Mayor of London, and according to Mr Harri, the pair “got on like a house on fire.”
Their discussion included Mr Johnson’s plans to expand rape crisis centres across the capital.
Camilla later supported those efforts, formally opening two of the centres. For Mr Low, the account illustrates her resilience and sense of duty.
He said the way she handled the episode as a teenager showed her presence of mind and a determination to ensure the right thing was done.