Queen Honors Dame Jilly Cooper at Memorial with Rivals Stars

On Friday, London hosted a memorial for the esteemed author Dame Jilly Cooper, who passed away at the age of 88. Queen Camilla attended the event to honor her close friend, whose unexpected death occurred in October due to a fall. The memorial gathered notable figures from film, literature, and sports.

Stars Unite to Honor Dame Jilly Cooper

The memorial featured appearances by actors from the Disney adaptation of Cooper’s 1988 novel, *Rivals*. Notable attendees included:

• Danny Dyer
• David Tennant
• Aidan Turner
• Bella Maclean
• Victoria Smurfit

Also present were sports legends and comedians such as Tony Adams and Helen Lederer, along with actress Lisa Maxwell. In a heartfelt tribute, Cooper’s literary agent, Felicity Blunt, arrived with her husband, Stanley Tucci.

Personal Tributes to a Literary Icon

Stanley Tucci shared his reflections on Dame Jilly Cooper, highlighting her impact on readers and writers alike. He described her as “an extraordinary person” and acknowledged the profound influence she had on many lives through her works, including that of his wife.

Queen Camilla, dressed in a blue coat dress, reminisced about her friend with fondness. She recalled a lively evening with Cooper, telling attendees about a party where Dame Jilly declared her intention to “get so absolutely plastered.” The Queen expressed how dearly she missed her friend at the memorial.

A Gathering of Friends and Family

Among the attendees were Queen Camilla’s former husband, Andrew Parker-Bowles, and their son, Tom Parker-Bowles. The Queen posed with a portrait of Cooper, alongside the Dean of Southwark, Mark Oakley, marking a poignant moment of remembrance.

The memorial served not only as a tribute to Dame Jilly Cooper’s literary contributions but also as a testament to the enduring friendships she cultivated throughout her life. The outpouring of love and respect from those who knew her reflects her significant impact on the literary world. Such gatherings remind us of the power of literature and the connections it fosters among people.