London — Queen Camilla of Britain recounted an incident from her teenage years in which she defended herself against an attempted assault on a train. This story is featured in a new book titled "Power and the Palace" by Valentine Low, a former royal correspondent. The book's excerpt was published in the Sunday Times.

The incident reportedly occurred when Camilla was around 16 or 17 years old. She was traveling to Paddington Station when a man began to make unwanted advances. According to Guto Harri, a former communications director for Boris Johnson, Camilla shared the story during a meeting with Johnson in June 2008, when he was the Mayor of London.

Harri recounted that during their conversation, Camilla said, "I did what my mother taught me to. I took off my shoe and whacked him in the nuts with the heel." After the incident, she managed to alert authorities upon arriving at Paddington, leading to the arrest of her assailant.

Harri emphasized that Camilla's response was responsible and assertive. He noted, "She was self-possessed enough when they arrived at Paddington to jump off the train, find a guy in uniform and say, ‘That man just attacked me.’"

The story has garnered significant media attention, with various outlets highlighting Camilla's resilience. It is believed that this experience has influenced her advocacy work against domestic violence and sexual assault. For over a decade, she has been involved in initiatives aimed at supporting victims of such crimes, including the Wash Bag Project, which provides essential toiletries to survivors after forensic examinations.

Buckingham Palace has not issued a formal comment regarding the book or the incident. "Power and the Palace" is set to be published on September 11. The book also discusses the relationship between the monarchy and British political leaders, including insights into Queen Elizabeth II's views on Brexit.

Camilla became Queen in 2022 following the death of her mother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth II. She has since been recognized for her commitment to raising awareness about violence against women.