Queen Camilla, President of Women of the World (WOW), delivered a punchy speech (Image: Getty Images)

Queen Camilla told survivors of victims of violence and abuse, “we stand with you” as she delivered punchy speech in reference to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. Wearing a badge that reads ‘Shame Must Change Sides’, which French rape survivor Gisèle Pelicot gave to her when they met for tea last month, Her Majesty shared her “solidarity, sorrow and sympathy” for the survivors of domestic and sexual abuse, telling them “you are not alone”.

Her comments are likely to be seen as a thinly veiled reference to the Epstein case, which implicates her brother-in-law, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: “I think Her Majesty’s speech speaks for itself.” Camilla, who has long campaigned against domestic violence and sexual abuse, has not previously commented on the allegations outside of official statements released by the King.

The Queen hosted a Women of the World reception at Buckingham Palace today (Image: Getty Images)

Speaking to those gathered at the Women of the World (WOW) reception on Tuesday afternoon, the Queen said: “To every survivor of every kind of violence, many of whom have not been able to tell their stories or who have not been believed, please know that you are not alone. We stand with you and alongside you, today and every day, in solidarity, sorrow and sympathy.”

As President of WOW, Camilla hosted a reception to mark International Women’s Day and the fifteenth year of WOW – a global alliance of partners, working together to drive an equal and inclusive future for women, girls and non-binary people.

Her speech referenced the devastating stories of Ms Pelicot and Amy Hunt, whose mother Carol and sisters Louise and Hannah were murdered by Louise’s former partner in 2024.

Camilla hailed Ms Pelicot’s “grace and strength” after she waived her right to anonymity in a horrific mass-rape case involving her ­ex-husband and 50 other men in a bid to raise awareness of the horrific crimes against women and girls.

Addressing guests including actors Dame Helen Mirren, Dame Harriet Walter and Hannah Waddingham, as well as politicians and dozens of survivors of domestic and sexual abuse, the Queen said that boys “should be taught to manage and to express their feelings healthily” in the playground and that in the classroom, “all children must learn what constitutes consent – and what is assault.”

Queen Camilla greets stars at Women of the World event

Queen Camilla delivered a powerful speech (Image: Getty Images)

And she warned of the need to tackle the prevelance of online misogyny and hatred because “it is in the online space where boys and young men absorb many of the values they will carry through to adulthood.”

The Queen, who recently shared her own experience of sexual assault as a young woman, said: “Every woman has a story. And these stories must be told. Because when we live in a culture of silence, we empower violence against women and girls. It is for this reason that, for 15 years, WOW has been sharing women’s experiences through their festivals, inspiring thousands of people across six continents to take action.”

Camilla used her speech to highlight startling statistics about violence against women and girls. This includes that a woman is murdered by a man every three days in the UK and that 62% of these women are killed by partners or ex-partners; one in four women have been raped or sexually assaulted and over 70% of women in the UK say that they have been harassed in public.

Queen Camilla invited famous women to the reception (Image: Getty Images)

The Queen also spoke of the common misconception that violence against women is “a woman problem”, saying: “This is unjust and untrue.”

“It is “everyone’s problem” and only by treating it as such can this scourge be eradicated for good,” she said. “It won’t be easy.”

Speaking after the Queen’s speech, Penny Lancaster said: “I think what’s refreshing is because of Her Majesty’s honesty of her own experiences it makes it more powerful and more relatable when you listen to her message. What resonated with me particularly was her message to young boys.”

Camilla concluded her speech to rapturous applause, saying: “Let us join together to, in Gisèle Pelicot’s words, bring about ‘a collective awakening. It’s about education, respect and kindness towards others. It’s that simple’.”

Earlier, actress Miriam Margolyes asked the Queen to relay a message to her husband.

She told Camilla: “Hello darling, how are you? Will you tell His Majesty that we love him and we want him to get better and to take no notice of anyone who criticises him because he’s just wonderful.”

The Queen, laughing and tapping the actress on the shoulder, replied: “I will bear that in mind. I’ll try my best.”