The Queen has joined stars from the acclaimed television adaptation Rivals at a moving memorial service to celebrate the extraordinary life and literary legacy of Dame Jilly Cooper. The beloved author, renowned for her captivating novels of scandal and high society, was fondly remembered as possessing "a champagne soul" during the ceremony at Southwark Cathedral in central London.
A Royal and Star-Studded Gathering
Queen Camilla was welcomed to the cathedral by the Very Reverend Dr Mark Oakley, Dean of Southwark, where she viewed a commemorative picture of Dame Jilly on display. The Queen, wearing a sophisticated blue silk dress with a matching coat by Anna Valentine and carrying a Dior handbag, was among a host of famous faces paying their respects. The congregation included the cast of the award-winning Disney+ series Rivals, based on Cooper's iconic book, alongside her literary agent Felicity Blunt and Blunt's husband, actor Stanley Tucci.
Other notable guests in attendance encompassed national treasures such as Dame Joanna Lumley, actor Rupert Everett, esteemed broadcaster Clare Balding, and comedian Rory Bremner. Camilla's own children, Tom Parker-Bowles and Laura Lopes, were also present, as was her former husband, Andrew Parker Bowles. The service poignantly reflected the wide-reaching impact Dame Jilly had across royal, literary, and entertainment circles.
Tributes to a Literary Icon
In his heartfelt address, Dean Mark Oakley beautifully encapsulated Dame Jilly Cooper's spirit. "Dame Jilly Cooper was a person with a champagne soul, of good vintage and sparkling for all its worth," he said. "She understood human privacies and intimacy, and who read the human heart, its needs and its extremities, carefully. Full of light, she lit up places and people."
The Queen had previously described the late author as a "wonderfully witty and compassionate friend" and a writing "legend". This sentiment was echoed throughout the day, with the service featuring readings from her works by Rivals stars Alex Hassell and Bella Maclean, and an extract from The Common Years read by Dame Joanna Lumley.
Personal Memories and Celebratory Reflections
Guests arriving at the cathedral shared their personal memories and deep affection for Dame Jilly. Irish actress Victoria Smurfit, a star of the Rivals series, remarked, "We've lost a ray of sunshine. We really have." Stanley Tucci paid tribute, stating, "She lived an incredible life. She changed the lives of so many people for the better with her books... She was an extraordinary person, a brilliant writer, nice person and naughty."
Broadcaster and author Gyles Brandreth offered a characteristically warm and humorous reflection, summing up Cooper's essence with the word "fun". "This is, of course, terribly sad, but also it's a celebration of an amazing life," Brandreth said. "Champagne is being popped in heaven today and I'm honoured and delighted to be here." He fondly recalled first meeting her nearly sixty years ago and their lasting friendship, noting their conversations always returned to a favourite topic.
A Lasting Legacy in Literature and Television
Dame Jilly Cooper, who passed away unexpectedly in October at the age of 88 following a fall, was celebrated for her prolific career. She was the masterful creator of the steamy Rutshire Chronicles, including famed titles like Riders, Rivals, and Polo, which explored scandal and adultery within Britain's upper classes. Her fictional seducer and showjumper, Rupert Campbell-Black, is famously said to be partly inspired by Andrew Parker Bowles.
Her influence extended powerfully into television, with several novels adapted for the screen. These included an ITV series of The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous and a 1990s adaptation of Riders. She also wrote the 1970s sitcom It's Awfully Bad For Your Eyes, starring Dame Joanna Lumley. Cooper remained dedicated to her craft until the end, publishing her most recent work, Tackle!, in 2023, typed on her cherished manual typewriter named Monica.
Honoured for her services to literature and charity, she was appointed a CBE in the 2018 New Year Honours and was made a Dame by King Charles III in 2024, an experience she later described as "orgasmic". The memorial service at Southwark Cathedral served not as a sombre farewell, but as a vibrant and fitting celebration of a woman whose champagne soul brought sparkle, warmth, and unforgettable stories to millions. She is survived by her two children, Felix and Emily.
