Queen Camilla and a constellation of stars from the hit television series Rivals led a poignant gathering of close friends and family today, celebrating the extraordinary life of the beloved author Dame Jilly Cooper at a memorial service in London. The service, held at the historic Anglican Southwark Cathedral near London Bridge, paid tribute to Cooper's remarkable literary legacy and vibrant personality.
A Literary Icon Remembered
Dame Jilly Cooper, the acclaimed writer behind bestsellers like Rivals, passed away unexpectedly on October 5 at the age of 88. A statement from her children, Felix and Emily, expressed their complete shock at her sudden death. An inquest later revealed that she sustained fatal injuries from a fall, bringing a stunning close to a career that had recently enjoyed a revival thanks to the Disney Plus adaptation of her work.
Royal and Star-Studded Attendance
The memorial saw a distinguished assembly of mourners. Queen Camilla was warmly welcomed by the Rev Dr Mark Oakley, Dean of Southwark, as she joined the service. Alongside her were actors from the Rivals series, including Danny Dyer, Alex Hassell, David Tennant, Bella Maclean, and Katherine Parkinson, highlighting the deep connection between Cooper's literary world and its on-screen portrayal.
Dame Jilly's literary agent, Felicity Blunt—sister of actress Emily Blunt—also attended, walking into the cathedral with her actor husband, Stanley Tucci. Tucci carried a tote bag emblazoned with the words I love Jilly Cooper, a touching nod to the author's enduring influence. Speaking to the media outside, Tucci paid heartfelt tribute, saying, She lived an incredible life. She also changed the lives of so many people for the better with her books, my wife being one of them. She was an extraordinary person, a brilliant writer, nice person and naughty.
A Prolific Career Spanning Decades
Born in Hornchurch, Essex, in 1937, Jilly Cooper's career spanned more than half a century, during which she sold over 11 million books in the UK alone. She began as a journalist in 1956, writing candid columns on love and social life, before publishing her first nonfiction book, How to Stay Married, in 1969. Soon after, she transitioned into fiction, chronicling the foibles of the English upper-middle classes with wit and charm.
Lasting Literary Legacy
Her 1975 debut novel, Emily, marked the start of a 50-year partnership with publisher Transworld. Over the decades, she published eighteen novels and more than twenty works of nonfiction, most notably the famous Rutshire Chronicles. This body of work cemented her status as a cultural icon, beloved for her sharp observations and engaging storytelling.
The memorial service not only honoured her literary achievements but also celebrated the joy and inspiration she brought to countless readers and colleagues, ensuring her legacy will continue to resonate for years to come.
