Queen Camilla paid a heartfelt and humorous tribute to the late Dame Jilly Cooper as she opened the eighth Cliveden Literary Festival in Buckinghamshire, leaving the audience in stitches while celebrating her friend’s life and work. Speaking about the bestselling author, who passed away on October 5 at the age of 88 following a fall, the Queen recalled a memorable encounter with Cooper at a party a few years ago.
In her characteristic wit, Dame Jilly reportedly told Camilla, “I’m going to get absolutely plastered tonight, darling. I love you so much, I want to see two of you.” Camilla quipped to the audience, “Dear Jilly, how we’d love to see just one of you here today,” eliciting laughter and applause.
Dame Jilly Cooper, often celebrated as the queen of the “bonkbuster,” wrote numerous popular romance novels, including the classic Rivals, which was adapted into a Disney+ series last year. Her flamboyant and witty storytelling often drew from real life; notably, her showjumping lothario Rupert Campbell-Black was inspired by Camilla’s former husband, Andrew Parker Bowles. Beyond her risqué tales, Cooper’s sharp prose and vibrant characters made her one of Britain’s most beloved contemporary novelists, selling over 11 million copies of her books in the U.K. alone.
The Cliveden Literary Festival audience also included renowned crime writer Sir Ian Rankin, who offered his own tribute. “She was a terrific writer, a terrific stylist, a terrific satirist,” he said. “She leaves a fantastic legacy. I’m sorry she’s not around to share a glass of Champagne and discuss it.”
Through her reflections, Queen Camilla balanced humor and reverence, celebrating Cooper’s indelible mark on British literature while offering a glimpse into the personal warmth and charm that made the author such a cherished figure. The festival, enriched by this playful yet poignant homage, highlighted the enduring cultural impact of Dame Jilly Cooper’s work and her unforgettable personality.
Leave a Reply