Why Queen Camilla personally reached out to Gisèle Pelicot after her historic trial

Queen Camilla has shown her unwavering support for French rape survivor Gisèle Pelicot, commending her bravery and resilience in a private letter, palace sources confirm.

The British royal was deeply moved by Pelicot’s courage after she publicly spoke out against her horrific abuse, which made her a global symbol in the fight against sexual violence.

A palace insider revealed to Express UK that Camilla was "tremendously affected" by Pelicot’s case and felt compelled to reach out.

"She was tremendously affected by the Madame Pelicot case in France and that lady's extraordinary dignity and courage as she put herself in the public eye," the source shared.

"As she rightly put it, why should she be made to feel like a victim or hide away in shame?"

Queen Camilla’s letter was sent privately, but sources confirmed that it was entirely her decision to offer support from the highest level.

"And, of course, she helped highlight a very significant societal problem despite all the personal suffering she'd been through. So, as a long-term supporter of survivors of domestic and sexual abuse, the queen wrote to Madame Pelicot privately," the source added.

What was Gisèle Pelicot's case? 

Gisèle Pelicot became a feminist icon after she waived her anonymity to expose the harrowing crimes of her ex-husband, Dominique Pelicot.

In December 2023, Dominique, 72, was sentenced to 20 years in prison after he was found guilty of drugging, raping, and forcing his wife into sexual abuse at the hands of hundreds of men over a decade.

In a landmark trial that lasted three and a half months, 47 men were found guilty of rape, two of attempted rape, and two others of sexual assault.

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