Queen Camilla says we can’t ‘turn a blind eye’ on abusers in thinly veiled swipe at Andrew Mounbatten-Windsor

Queen Camilla has broken her silence on the Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor scandal in a thinly veiled comment about “abusers”.

In a speech marking International Women’s Day at St James’s Palace, Camilla first championed a message of support for survivors of sexual violence.

“We stand with you and alongside you, today and every day, in solidarity, sorrow and sympathy,” she said at an event for the Women of the World group on Tuesday.

“To every survivor of every kind of violence, many of whom have not been able to tell their stories or who have not been believed, please know that you are not alone.”

Amongst an audience of pioneer types, including Dame Helen Mirren, esteemed barrister Lady Cherie Blair and Victoria Beckham, Camilla turned her attention to scathing assessment of modern culture as a breeding ground for abuse.

“When we live in a culture of silence, we empower violence against women and girls,” she said.

Though Camilla made no direct reference to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and the ongoing scandal surrounding Mr Mountbatten-Windsor, she appeared to indirectly scold King Charles II’s brother.

She said we can no longer “turn a blind eye to those who heap abuse on others without thought or consequence”.

Though Mr Mountbatten-Windsor has been somewhat ostracised from the royal family for years over his connection to Epstein, the last six months saw his separation shift into a clear severance.

After the posthumous memoir of Virginia Giuffre, an Australian-American victim of Epstein, was published in late October 25, the public’s outrage at the ex-duke was renewed.

He was stripped of his princely title, and after the subsequent release of more Epstein files, was arrested on February 19 on the suspicion of misconduct in public office.

The disgraced former prince spent his 66th birthday being interrogated for 11 hours before he was released and sent back to the “exile” of Sandringham - a measure imposed by Charles.

Camilla’s speech pivoted to focus on how the online world is shaping the minds of young men and allowing harmful attitudes to fester.

“It is in the online space where boys and young men absorb many of the values they will carry through until adulthood,” she said

“If misogyny and hatred are not confronted here and now, then we will face far greater issues in the future.”

As she spoke she wore a badge given to her by rape survivor Gisele Pelicot, who she met with in late February.

Ms Pelicot become a global name after she cast her husband’s crimes into the public by waiving her right to anonymity at trial.

She has since been heralded as a symbol of the fight against sexual violence alongside the popular French campaign message “shame must change sides”.

At their meeting, Camilla told Ms Pelicot that her recent memoir A Hymn to Life had left her speechless.

“I’ve met so many survivors of rape and sexual abuse,” she told her.

“I never thought I could be shocked by anything anymore, but I was shocked at your case - it left me speechless.”

A year prior, Camilla had sent Ms Pelicot a letter which echoed the sentiment of women who lined the streets in support of the survivor during her trial - that her courage was valued. Ms Pelicot has the letter framed in her personal office.

The rest of the royal family have not shunned Mr Mountbatten-Windsor in public and have instead avoided making any public comments.

Since he has not been charged he is not under any formal bail conditions, but royal insiders say he has been confined to Wood Farm, a far cry from the halls of the Royal Lodge.

Also under scrutiny is Sarah Ferguson, whose close friendship with Epstein was exposed in the latest release of the files.

According to email messages made public by the US Department of Justice she considered the disgraced financier her “friend” and “brother”.

The ex-duchess also kept up her correspondence with Epstein while he was imprisoned in the late 2000s for soliciting prostitution from a minor.

On Epstein’s dime, she also flew to New York City with her two daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie to meet him after he was released in July 2009.

According to the emails, she brought her daughters to a lunch with Epstein, and also asked his management to upgrade her flights home. Epstein refused the request.