Queen reveals: I have been trying to hold the King back

The Queen laughs with Theresa May, the former prime minister, during the reception at Buckingham Palace – EAMONN M. MCCORMACK/GETTY IMAGES

The King was “really thrilled to be out” this week, the Queen revealed, as she told a Buckingham Palace guest: “I’ve been trying to hold him back.”

The Queen, 76, made the remarks during a reception for those who support the survivors of sexual abuse. Among the guests were Cherie Blair, Carrie Johnson and Theresa May.

She issued a heartfelt “thank you” to her 300 guests, hailing them for offering hope and kindness to people “who have been dehumanised in the most brutal way”.

Speaking to Teresa Tideman, chairman of In Kind Direct, a charity founded by the then Prince of Wales in 1996, the Queen recalled her husband’s return to public duties following his cancer diagnosis.

She said of Tuesday’s visit to University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre: “I think he was really thrilled to be out.

“I’ve been trying to hold him back.”

Kevin Brennan, the shadow minister for victims and sentencing, with Carrie Johnson, Zara McDermott and Karen McDermott at the reception for those who support the survivors of sexual abuse – EAMONN M. MCCORMACK/GETTY IMAGES

The Queen later delivered an impassioned speech to guests in the Picture Gallery, in which she reiterated her desire “to forge a world in which people, whoever and wherever they are, do not live in fear of being abused”.

She said: “As I have often heard victims say: speaking about the experience is one of the key ways to survive it.

“By sharing with one another, we can strengthen our alliance against sexual abuse in all its forms.”

The event also marked the relaunch of the Queen’s Wash Bag Project, a scheme that she initiated as the Duchess of Cornwall in 2013.

The project provides toiletries, donated by Boots, to the victims of rape and sexual abuse after a forensic examination, designed as a small gesture of comfort during a difficult time.

Zara McDermott, who has spoken out about being a victim of sexual assault, was among the guests at the reception – EAMONN M. MCCORMACK/VIA REUTERS

The Queen read out a letter sent to her from the mother of a wash bag recipient, identified as “Jane”, that she said had moved her deeply.

The woman had visited a sexual assault referral centre just hours after being attacked, a visit described in the letter as a “horrible, if necessary, event”.

The letter went on: “We were preparing to leave and were all feeling very low and subdued.

“Jane’s personal contact then returned with a wonderful bag of toiletries and items to pamper and relax her.

“This simple act completely changed the atmosphere and lifted our moods.

“It was such a lovely and completely unexpected gesture, which reminded my daughters and I of the kindness of strangers at a very dark time”.

‘Heinous crimes’

The Queen said: “As you can imagine, this letter moved me deeply.

“The phrase ‘the kindness of strangers at a very dark time’ is, to me, the guiding principle of everything that you all do: reaching out a hand of friendship to people who have been dehumanised in the most brutal way; giving comfort to those who are traumatised; and offering hope that physical and emotional healing are possible, as Jane can vouch for.

“To each one of you, I would therefore like to say – thank you. Thank you for sharing your stories, thank you for your kindness, thank you for not remaining strangers to those enduring the darkest of times, and, most of all, thank you for standing up and committing yourselves to bringing an end to these heinous crimes – forever.”

On arrival, the Queen was greeted by a small group including James Cleverly, the Home Secretary, who last year apologised for joking about spiking his wife’s drink with a date rape drug.

He said the Queen was admirable and that he was there to celebrate her commitment.

The Queen greets Carrie Johnson who was a victim of serial sex attacker John Worboys – EAMONN M. MCCORMACK/AFP

Mrs Johnson, who was a victim of serial sex attacker John Worboys, known as the “black cab rapist”, in July 2007, greeted the Queen warmly.

The Queen said: “Very nice to see you again, I haven’t seen you for a long while. Not seen you since you had number three.”

To much laughter, Carrie, the wife of former prime minister Boris Johnson, replied: “I know. Chaos, chaos.”

‘Incredible and inspiring’

Mrs Johnson said afterwards: “I am such a supporter of the Queen. I really am. She has been incredible. These events are far more important than one might think.

“They are not just photo calls. They do bring people together who can affect change.

“You can tell she cares deeply about it. The reality is that rape conviction rates are abysmal. It’s appalling. While governments tackle that issue, I still feel more can be done.

“My husband told me when he was mayor of London he did something with Camilla, they went to a refuge, and he said how incredible she was, how inspiring she was. It’s so commendable.

“She doesn’t lecture people, she listens. She is such a decent person. It’s always such an honour to come, she’s very clever and knows the people she is bringing together.”

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