The Queen attended a memorial service at Southwark Cathedral on Friday to honour Dame Jilly Cooper, the celebrated “bonkbuster” novelist who was among her closest friends.
Camilla was joined by a host of famous faces paying their respects to the writer, who passed away in October at the age of 88.
Stars from the recent television adaptation of Rivals, including Aidan Turner and Danny Dyer, were present at the cathedral.
Hollywood actor Stanley Tucci, whose wife Felicity Blunt served as Dame Jilly’s literary agent, also attended alongside Joanna Lumley and Rupert Everett.
Queen Camilla and her son attend memorial service for Dame Jilly Cooper alongside many famous faces
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Joanna Lumley also attended the memorial service.
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Broadcasters Gyles Brandreth and Clare Balding were among those gathering to celebrate the life of the author famed for her racy depictions of upper-class British society.
Brandreth offered a heartfelt tribute to the beloved author, declaring: “Champagne is being popped in heaven today and I’m honoured and delighted to be here amongst so many celebrating an amazing writer.”
He described Dame Jilly as “fun”, “fabulous” and “amazing”, adding: “This is, of course, terribly sad, but also it’s a celebration of an amazing life, an amazing writer, an amazing human being.”
Tucci spoke warmly of the novelist, calling her “an extraordinary person, a brilliant writer, nice person and naughty”.
Broadcaster Clare Balding attended the ceremony to celebrate the life of the author famed for her racy depictions of upper-class British society.
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The American actor noted that Dame Jilly had transformed countless lives through her writing, including that of his wife.
Blunt arrived at the service carrying a tote bag bearing the message “I love Jilly Cooper”.
Alan Titchmarsh, a friend of Dame Jilly for four decades, called her “hugely genuine” and said attending was “a way of saying thank you really”.
Dame Jilly died after suffering a fall at her home in Gloucestershire, with a private funeral held at All Saints Church in Bisley, Stroud, shortly after her passing.
Queen Camilla was joined at the service by her son Tom Parker-Bowles
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An inquest in November determined that she died from a traumatic subdural haematoma caused by hitting her head during the accident.
The coroner recorded a conclusion of accidental death.
Her family expressed their devastation at the sudden loss, stating: “Mum was the shining light in all of our lives. Her love for all of her family and friends knew no bounds. Her unexpected death has come as a complete shock.”
Dame Jilly received the inaugural Comedy Women In Print lifetime achievement award in 2019 and was made a dame in 2024 for her contributions to literature and charity.
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They added: “We are so proud of everything she achieved in her life and can’t begin to imagine life without her infectious smile and laughter all around us.”
Dame Jilly leaves behind two children, Felix and Emily.
She built her reputation on novels that offered steamy portrayals of the British elite, with titles such as Riders, Rivals and Polo becoming bestsellers.
Dame Jilly received the inaugural Comedy Women In Print lifetime achievement award in 2019 and was made a dame in 2024 for her contributions to literature and charity.
