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A memorial service honoring the late Dame Jilly Cooper took place at Southwark Cathedral in London, with notable attendees including Queen Camilla, Dame Joanna Lumley, and actor David Tennant. The gathering paid tribute to the renowned novelist, whose works captivated readers with vivid portrayals of British country life and society.
Dame Jilly Cooper, who passed away unexpectedly at the age of 88 in October 2025 after an accidental fall, is best known for her popular novels such as *Rivals* and *Riders*. Celebrated for her wit and storytelling, the author sold over 11 million books in the UK alone. Her literary creations, particularly *The Rutshire Chronicles*, began with *Riders* in 1985 and depicted the intricate and often scandalous lives of the wealthy equestrian set. The novel *Rivals*, published in 1988, gained renewed acclaim in 2024 when adapted into a successful Disney+ television series, with Queen Camilla visiting the cast and crew during the filming of its second season.
At the service, Dame Joanna Lumley described Dame Jilly as “an extraordinary woman,” calling the event “very touching, sometimes very funny, just sometimes very moving and very beautiful.” The Dean of Southwark, the Very Reverend Mark Oakley, welcomed the Queen and spoke warmly of the author, saying, “Dame Jilly Cooper was a person with a champagne soul, of good vintage and sparkling for all its worth.” He praised her as a source of comfort, compassion, and excitement, highlighting the warmth and light she brought to those around her.
Among others present were Dame Jilly’s agent Felicity Blunt and her husband, actor Stanley Tucci, along with personalities including Rupert Everett, Clare Balding, ex-footballer Tony Adams, comedian Rory Bremner, and several stars from *Rivals* such as Victoria Smurfit, Alex Hassell, Aidan Turner, Danny Dyer, and Katherine Parkinson. Reflecting on the occasion, Dyer described the service as “wonderful.” Broadcaster Gyles Brandreth paid tribute by calling Dame Jilly “fabulous” and “amazing,” summing her up with the words “fun, fun, fun, fun.” Those close to her, including Smurfit who knew her for nearly 40 years, expressed gratitude and a commitment to preserving her memory. Dame Jilly’s children, Felix and Emily, remembered their mother as “the shining light in all of our lives,” proud of her achievements and mourning the absence of her joyous presence
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