Queen Camilla will be seen like never before in a powerful new documentary exploring her work to raise awareness about domestic and sexual violence.
While monarchs, or monarchs’ wives, have traditionally avoided appearing on camera, the 77-year-old royal has chosen for the first time to front a powerful new program, driven to highlight a topic she has spent more than a year on. decade. decade of campaigning after generations of being swept under the rug.
It is estimated that 2.1 million people over the age of 16 in England and Wales have experienced some form of domestic abuse.
Shockingly, a woman is murdered on average every five days by her current or former partner, and more than 105,000 children live in homes where there is a high risk of domestic abuse.
Three women also take their own lives every week without being able to see a way out.
Queen Camilla will be seen like never before in a powerful new documentary exploring her work to raise awareness about domestic and sexual violence.
The Queen says she is determined to break the “taboo” on the subject in the 90-minute documentary to be broadcast next week: “It’s very important to do something now.”
In Her Majesty The Queen: Behind Closed Doors, cameras follow Camilla for a year as she meets survivors of domestic abuse and activists working to help victims and increase understanding of the issue.
It is understood that she began by accepting only a cameo role, preferring to focus on the victims and survivors, but becoming more confident in helping to tell the women’s stories as time went on.
She explains: “One of the most difficult things to understand about domestic abuse is not the bruises and black eyes that, unfortunately, are seen through violence; this is something that progresses very slowly and, all too often, ends with murdered women.
‘You meet someone, you think they’re wonderful and attractive and they love you… and then, little by little, they start to weaken you. They take away your friends, they take away your family… and then when you start to question it… these people become very violent.’
Among the women she speaks to is Chief Inspector Sharon Baker, a senior officer with Avon and Somerset Police who, shockingly, was the victim of severe domestic abuse for five years.
It was, she tells the Mail, a “classic” case of “love bombing” interspersed with rage and coercive control, forcing her to tiptoe around her “Jekyll and Hyde” partner rather than incite his wrath.
When he finally found the strength to tell her their relationship was over, there was a serious physical altercation and he ended up asking his own officers for help.
It is estimated that 2.1 million people over the age of 16 in England and Wales have experienced some form of domestic abuse.
Queen Camilla on screen during a special reception for the exclusive screening of a new documentary
“I had to fear for my life before I called 999,” he says.
When the police arrived, she was, she says, “hysterical and babbling,” while her partner sat calmly, dressed and ready at the table.
He was afraid that no one would believe him, but they did. However, for personal reasons, he decided not to take the incident to court.
In 2020, however, Chief Inspector Baker decided to go public for the first time to help others within her force by making a YouTube video talking about her experiences.
After years of thinking she must have been the only woman in her position, she was shocked when 138 colleagues contacted her to tell her they too had been victims.
Queen Camilla (centre) poses with (from left) Rehema Muthamia, Emma Armstrong, Alice Liveing and Sharon Baker.
The Queen says she is determined to break the ‘taboo’ on the subject in the 90-minute documentary to be broadcast next week: ‘It is very important to do something now’
She told the Mail this week: “I hadn’t spoken out before because I didn’t think society or the police were prepared to hear that a chief inspector could be a victim.” And to be honest, I felt embarrassed because all these people looked up to me.
—At that time I was in the riot police and participated in public disorders. I was a strong and powerful woman. I was dealing with and responding to domestic violence in the workplace. And yet, how could I not detect it in my own life?
‘I felt shame and embarrassment. How could I not see the signs?
“No one was talking about it at the time. I felt like I must have been the only one. And I didn’t think the police or society were prepared to hear it.”
The outcome of her complaint, she says, meant that the issue of domestic violence went from being “silent conversations behind closed doors” to a more open discussion.
Queen Camilla (pictured) will star in a new documentary about domestic abuse next week, as part of her ongoing work to tackle the issue.
The royal, 77, will appear in a new documentary, The Queen: Behind Closed Doors, which will share details of her work to raise awareness and combat domestic and sexual violence.
‘At the time I went (my abuse), it was all silent conversations behind closed doors. “They (the police) didn’t know how to handle it,” he says.
‘I hope that speaking openly can show that domestic abuse does not discriminate. I feel like I have the privilege of using my voice when so many people don’t.
“I want people to know that you will be believed and that there are places you can go where you will be safe.”
Of Queen Camilla he added: “I think she and she are wonderful.” The way he uses his influence is fantastic. She is very authentic and warm. This is not an easy topic, she does not support an easy charity with furry puppies. This is very real.’
The 90-minute program will air on Monday 11 November 2024 at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
The Queen is also shown meeting Diana Parkes, whose daughter, Joanna Simpson, was beaten to death with a hammer by her estranged and abusive husband, who she claims has inspired her work.
Former Prime Minister and Home Secretary Theresa May, who finally made coercive and controlling behavior a criminal offense in 2015 in a landmark legal move, also says in the film: “I think it’s incredibly important that Her Majesty shows an interest in this topic. We have come a long way… but unfortunately there is more to do.
“Police receive a call about domestic abuse once every 30 seconds.”
Her Majesty The Queen: Behind Closed Doors will air on ITV1 and ITVX on November 11 at 9pm
