Camilla left ‘speechless’ by French rape survivor Gisele Pelicot’s memoir

The Queen has told French rape survivor Gisele Pelicot she was left “speechless” by the account of her ordeal in her new memoir. Camilla invited Ms Pelicot, 73, to her official London residence as her UK tour promoting the book drew to close and told her guest she read the memoir in just two days, unable to put it down. The launch of Hymn to Life: Shame Has to Change Sides, was held at London’s Royal Festival Hall on Friday, with readings given by Hollywood actresses Kate Winslet, Dame Kristin Scott Thomas and Juliet Stevenson. The Queen wrote to the 73-year-old last year to praise her “extraordinary dignity and courage” in a letter the survivor said left her “overwhelmed” and which is now framed in her office. When the two women sat down over tea at Clarence House for a 30-minute meeting, Camilla said about the memoir: “I read it in the last two days, I couldn’t put it down. Subscribe to The Standard: https://www.standard.co.uk/register for latest breaking news from the UK, US and around the world, plus podcasts and features. Evening Standard on socials: Check out our full video catalog: youtube.com/channel/UC7RQon_YwCnp_LbPtEwW65w?sub_confirmation=1 Videos, daily editorial and more: https://www.standard.co.uk/ Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/TheLondonStandard Follow us on Twitter: x.com/theLDNstandard and Instagram: instagram.com/thelondonstandard