Once viewed with skepticism by the public, Queen Camilla has now become one of the most popular members of the Royal Family.

Dedicated to duty, she supports nearly 100 charities, many of which focus on helping survivors of domestic violence. But behind her advocacy lies a disturbing personal experience, revealed in a new book.

A Privileged but Simple Childhood

Camilla Rosemary Shand was born on July 17, 1947, into a wealthy and well-connected family. Her lineage included Alice Keppel, the mistress of King Edward VII, and renowned builder Thomas Cubitt. Growing up in East Sussex and South Kensington, she enjoyed a privileged but warm upbringing with her parents Bruce and Rosalind Shand, who were unusually affectionate for their class.

The Queen has often described her childhood as “idyllic.” Speaking with Women’s Day, she recalled carefree days in the countryside: “I was one of the very lucky ones, I had the idyllic childhood right in the country, sitting on the South Downs with my brother and my sister and our pets and our ponies.” She even remembered riding ponies to school in summer, something she admitted would be unimaginable for children today.

Camilla grew up alongside her younger siblings Annabel and Mark, though Mark sadly passed away in 2014. She developed a lifelong love of horses and, thanks to her family’s wealth, enjoyed the privileges of the social elite, from shopping at Harrods to mixing with aristocracy. Her mother also taught her the art of small talk—an invaluable skill for royal life.