Queen Camilla has stepped out for her first royal engagement since startling claims about her teenage years surfaced in a new book.

The Queen, 78, appeared at the headquarters of ShelterBox, a disaster relief charity in Cornwall, on Thursday afternoon. The event marked the organization’s 25th anniversary, where she met with staff and volunteers.

Camilla has served as Patron of ShelterBox since 2021, following her earlier role as President from 2007.

Allegations of a Teenage Assault

Her appearance comes just days after reports emerged from the book Power and the Palace by Valentine Low, which revealed an alleged incident from Camilla’s youth.

According to the book, Camilla was around 16 or 17 when a man attempted to grope her during a train journey to Paddington. She is said to have defended herself by striking the attacker with the heel of her shoe before reporting him to the police, which led to his arrest.

Guto Harri’s Recollection

The story was relayed by Guto Harri, who served as communications director for Boris Johnson during his time as Mayor of London. Harri claimed that Camilla had once told Johnson about the disturbing incident.

“The serious conversation they had was about her being the victim of an attempted sexual assault when she was a schoolgirl,” Harri recalled in the book.

He said the then-teenager described how the man’s hand moved “further and further” before she acted.

When Johnson asked her what happened next, Camilla reportedly replied: “I did what my mother taught me to. I took off my shoe and whacked him in the nuts with the heel.”

Harri added that Camilla was calm enough upon arriving at Paddington to alert a uniformed officer immediately, ensuring the man was arrested.

Camilla’s Silence on the Matter

Queen Camilla has never spoken publicly about the alleged incident, and Buckingham Palace has not issued any statement. However, sources suggest she remembers the ordeal clearly.

Her quiet dignity in the face of such headlines has been noted, with this latest engagement in Cornwall underlining her continued dedication to her royal duties despite the personal claims now circulating.