Teenager Camilla, now Queen Camilla, alleged to have thwarted an assault attempt, according to a fresh book

Teenage years of Queen Camilla marked by alleged attempted assault, as per a newly released book

In a revealing account, Queen Camilla, formerly the Duchess of Cornwall, has shared her experience of fending off an attempted sexual assault during her teenage years. The anecdote, detailed in an excerpt from the book "Power and the Palace" by Valentine Low, was first reported by the Sunday Times.

According to the book, Camilla was approximately 16 or 17 years old when the incident occurred on a train headed to Paddington Station. During a private meeting in 2008, Camilla recounted the harrowing event to Boris Johnson, then the Mayor of London, who was served by Guto Harri, the communications director for Johnson at the time.

As the story goes, Camilla approached a man in uniform and reported the attack. In her own words, she described her self-defence action by saying she took off her shoe and hit the man with the heel. Remarkably, she managed to jump off the train upon arriving at Paddington Station, ensuring the man was arrested.

Johnson and Camilla's conversation underscores Camilla's dedication to ending violence against women. Known for her advocacy, Camilla has worked to raise awareness of the issue for more than 10 years. In recent years, she has initiated the Wash Bag Project, which provides toiletries for survivors of sexual assault after a forensic examination.

CNN reached out to Buckingham Palace for comment on the account in the new book. While the palace has not released an official statement, it does not appear to be disputing the reported details. Queen Camilla, now in her role as monarch, continues to support organisations that help victims of both domestic violence and sexual violence.

Valentine Low, a former royal correspondent for Britain's The Times newspaper, and Guto Harri have been instrumental in bringing this story to light. Their work underscores the importance of sharing personal experiences to raise awareness and inspire action against violence.

In this new role as Queen, Camilla's personal account serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing fight against sexual violence and the importance of standing up for oneself and others.