Queen Camilla Hosts Gisèle Pelicot for Private Tea

Britain's Queen Camilla hosted French assault survivor Gisèle Pelicot for a private tea at Clarence House in London on Monday, expressing that she was left speechless by the 73-year-old author's memoir detailing her harrowing ordeal.

The meeting, which lasted about 30 minutes, came as Pelicot concluded a U.K. book tour for her work, "Hymn to Life: Shame Has to Change Sides." Camilla, speaking through an interpreter, told Pelicot that she had read the book over the past two days and could not put it down. "I've met so many survivors of assault and sexual abuse," the queen said, according to accounts from those present. "I never thought I could be shocked by anything anymore, but I was shocked at your case. It left me speechless."

Pelicot was joined by her partner, Jean-Loup Agopian, as well as her literary agent and legal team. Camilla greeted her guests in French, joking that she had studied the language 60 years ago but had since forgotten it. During the conversation, Pelicot spoke of the incredible strength she had drawn from public support following her story's emergence. "You have so much support," Camilla replied.

The encounter highlighted Camilla's long-standing advocacy...