Queen tells Gisèle Pelicot her new memoir left her 'speechless'

Queen Camilla has told French rape survivor Gisèle Pelicot that she was left speechless by her new memoir, which she says she finished reading in just two days.

The Queen invited Pelicot to her official residence in London, where the 73-year-old had been promoting her new book, Hymn to Life: Shame Has to Change Sides.

Pelicot became a global figurehead of strength and feminism after waiving her right to anonymity and confronting dozens of the men who had raped her.

"I've met so many survivors of rape and sexual abuse," the Queen told Pelicot on Monday. "I never thought I could be shocked by anything anymore, but I was shocked at your case - it left me speechless."

The two women sat down for tea together at Clarence House, where Pelicot was joined by her partner, Jean-Loup Agopian, and her literary and legal team.

The Queen first spoke to her guests in French, joking she had "forgotten" the language after studying it "60 years ago". Afterwards, she spoke through an interpreter.

Pelicot said she had received "incredible strength" from the public after coming forward with her story. "You have so much support," the Queen said in response.

The meeting came after Pelicot launched her book at a sold-out event at London's Royal Festival Hall on Friday. It featured readings from Hollywood actresses Kate Winslet, Dame Kristin Scott Thomas and Juliet Stevenson.

Last year, Queen Camilla sent Pelicot a letter praising her "extraordinary dignity and courage".

In the letter, the Queen said Pelicot had "inspired women across the globe" and "created a powerful legacy that will change the narrative around shame, forever".

Pelicot said the letter, which left her "overwhelmed", was now framed in her office.

The harrowing details of Pelicot's ordeal shocked the world in 2024.

A court heard how for many years she had been drugged unconscious by her then-husband Dominique and raped by dozens of men he had recruited online.

After a 16-week public trial, 46 men were found guilty of rape, two of attempted rape and two of sexual assault. Dominique Pelicot was handed the maximum jail sentence of 20 years.

Millions were moved by Gisèle Pelicot's presence at the trial, and she received an outpouring of support in France and beyond.

She said it was time to make "shame swap sides" from the victim to the rapist - a message that resonated with many, including the groups of women that gathered in support outside court every day, carrying signs demanding justice.

Earlier in February, Pelicot gave a wide-ranging interview to BBC Newsnight, in which she recalled being "crushed by horror" when she discovered the scale of her husband's crimes.

She also recalled the moment she decided to waive her legal right to anonymity - a decision she says she has never regretted.